<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1KxPn2_1BMy2BVn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KxPn2_1BMy2BVn00" width="986" height="555" >KENNEWICK, Wa. - First responders from across the Tri-Cities gathered Wednesday, May 13, at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick to recognize the partnerships behind emergency medical care ahead of National EMS Week.Representatives from the Kennewick Fire Department, AMR, Life Flight Network, Trios Southridge Hospital, and Kadlec Regional Medical Center highlighted the teamwork required to respond to medical emergencies throughout the region.Officials said the event was meant to recognize the many agencies involved in emergency response and to educate the public about the role emergency medical services play every day.Kennewick Fire Chief Michael Heffner said EMS calls make up a significant portion of the department’s workload and can range from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies.“It’s an important service,” Heffner said. “Medical calls happen every day. Every day, we can anticipate responding to someone.”Heffner said firefighter paramedics are trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, including breathing problems, chest pain, overdoses, and diabetic emergencies. He added that emergency calls often place crews in highly personal situations, requiring responders to demonstrate professionalism and compassion.“So we must have the best of the best individuals that are high integrity, high competence, high selflessness, and are ready to give to others above themselves,” Heffner said.Life Flight Network Public Relations Manager Natalie Hannah said emergency medical care depends heavily on coordination between agencies on the ground and specialized transport teams in the air.According to Hannah, ground ambulance crews are often the first to assess patients and determine whether advanced air transport is needed for critically injured or critically ill patients.“Whether that’s here in Tri-Cities or we need to get them to someplace like Harborview or OHSU in Portland, we can’t do what we do without the help of our EMS partners on the ground,” Hannah said.Hannah described Life Flight helicopters as “flying intensive care units” capable of providing ICU-level care while transporting patients to specialized medical facilities.She said the organization’s Richland base has served the Tri-Cities region since 2006 and that advancements in aircraft technology and onboard medical equipment have significantly improved patient care over the years.Officials at the event emphasized that emergency response is a collaborative effort involving firefighters, paramedics, ambulance providers, hospitals, and air medical crews working together to provide fast and effective care during emergencies.National EMS Week begins next week and is observed annually to recognize EMS professionals and the work they do in communities across the country.</div></body>

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KENNEWICK, Wa. - First responders from across the Tri-Cities gathered Wednesday, May 13, at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick to recognize the partnerships behind emergency medical care ahead of National EMS Week. Representatives from the Kennewick Fire Department, AMR, Life Flight Network, Trios Southridge Hospital, and Kadlec...

Tri-Cities first responders highlight EMS Week

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KENNEWICK, Wa. - First responders from across the Tri-Cities gathered Wednesday, May 13, at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick to recogn

Tri-Cities first responders highlight EMS Week

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