May 17 to 23 is national EMS week, in recognition of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided in communities all across America. Heading the local effort is Fred Genslinger, a captain in the Bristol Fire Department (BFD) and EMS coordinator for the same.

Some time during the week, members of the Bristol EMS team will visit Bristol Elementary School to talk with students in kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade. The goal will be to teach the children important safety procedures, including how to call 911 in an emergency at home. Each child will receive a coloring book which depicts the lessons imparted by the EMS personnel.

Several important events will take place at the fire department on Saturday, May 23, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. Free health screening will be offered during that time, including tests for blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Free glucometers (to measure blood sugar) will be given to participants “while they last.”

Materials will also be available to enable residents to take part in the EMS “Vial of Life” program. According to Fred, ambulance personnel are often hampered in their vital efforts by a lack of medical history about those they are called to serve. To alleviate this problem, all interested persons will be given an information sheet to fill out and a small pill bottle in which to place the piece of paper. (These vials have been provided free of charge by the Bristol Pharmacy.) EMS members recommend putting the vials in the medicine cabinet or the refrigerator, since they will look there first in an emergency.

Another important program will take place on Saturday, May 23, between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m., namely, a four-hour instruction program for babysitters. The teenagers will be taught basic First Aid and how to perform CPR, using appropriate child-sized manikins.

Participants must be 13 years of age or older, must register beforehand, and must bring a $5.00 registration fee to the session. Interested persons can register with Fred, giving name and phone number, by mail, by phone (at 848-4155), or in person at the fire department, so that an adequate amount of materials can be provided.

All members of the Bristol Fire Department, both full time and part time, are required to complete training as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The department also has one part time and four full time paramedics, who receive extensive training beyond that of an EMT. Together they comprise the EMS personnel which serve the Bristol area.