May 19-25 is National EMS Week. It celebrates emergency medical services providers, including those in the Newport News Shipbuilding Fire Department.

“A career in fire and EMS is a selfless job,” said Bryan Allen, NNS Fire Department operations chief. “Each member of our crews decided to become a firefighter with the knowledge there would be long days and nights providing lifesaving services to complete strangers, all the while being away from their families for multiple days in some cases.”

The NNS Fire Department is providing lunch for firefighters on all three shifts to show appreciation for their service. This year marks the 50th anniversary of EMS Week. President Gerald Ford authorized the first EMS Week in 1974.

“It takes much sacrifice and dedication to become trained and have the understanding that you will be put in very unique situations potentially risking your life to help another,” Allen said. “On this EMS week I would like to thank not only the firefighters here at Newport News Shipbuilding but all throughout the region, state and country.”