May 15 – 21, 2022
It seems to be unique that both National Police Week and EMS Week (Emergency Medical Servies) fall in the same time frame this year. Typically, the month of May is kicked off with Correctional Officer Week, then National Police Week, followed by EMS Week. It’s also notable that our community here in Mesa County continues to ramp up the recognition and events to honor those serving in those respective roles.
EMS Week is a time to thank paramedics, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), and the entire EMS workforce for their service and sacrifices. It’s also an opportunity for EMS to continue to raise public awareness about the critical role of EMS in the community. This year, 2022, is the 47th annual National EMS Week, first dedicated in 1974, by then-President Gerald Ford. Authorizing EMS Week as a time to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities.
National Police Week was first dedicated by President John Kennedy as a decree to honor the men and women who risk their lives every day in the line of duty. It is also a time for law enforcement to honor their fallen colleagues, make sure those surviving them are supported, as well as to remember their commitment to keeping communities safe. Citizens celebrate the day (May 15) typically by showing gratitude to the law enforcement around them and in their community. National Police Week is all about honor, gratitude, remembrance, servitude, and peer support for law enforcement.
This year, Family Health West (FHW) leadership wanted to take a strong stance in ensuring our first responders were recognized heavily, post COVID (when celebrations were paused). FHW had the honor of hosting the Phoenix Awards – an award recognizing those who performed or participated in life-saving measures for cardiac arrest patients. A luncheon was provided at the FHW Hospital for all EMS workers and law enforcement in the county, as well as several dispatchers and local government folks, who attended. Twelve Phoenix Awards were presented and the final award had the cardiac patient in attendance who said a few words – mostly about how grateful he was to be alive.
FHW also hosted a fun event at the Cameo Shooting Complex this month giving competition some accelerant as red vs blue went to battle on the steel shooting course. The ringer turned out to be a professional competitive shooter who chose the red team to give his high score to. The red team took home the trophy that has now respectfully been placed in the Grand Junction Fire Department Administration lobby, until next year. When the red team has a reputation and title to uphold and the second annual Dr. Joe Kupets’ shoot-out takes place.
Please take a moment of silence to honor and pay your respects to the following Mesa County law enforcement who lost their lives in the line of duty.
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Edward Innes
- Colorado State Patrol, Sgt. Wesley Rosette
- Fruita Police Department, Acting Chief Dan Dalley
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Derek Geer
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Wayne Weyler
It’s been our pleasure to pay tribute and respect to those who serve our community this past week.
