St. Mary’s County Honors EMS Providers During National EMS Week: ‘What An Honor It Is To Serve Our Neighbors In Need’

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County commissioners recognized the dedication, courage and lifesaving work of local emergency medical service providers Tuesday, issuing a proclamation declaring May 17-23 as National Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS) in St. Mary’s County. The 2026 national theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” highlights the collective effort behind emergency care and the people who respond when communities need them most.

Presented by Commissioner Scott Ostrow during the May 19 commissioners meeting, the proclamation honored both volunteer and career EMS personnel serving residents across the county. The document noted EMS professionals’ ability to make “split-second decisions” often essential to preventing disability or death and recognized their “courage, expertise, dedication, confidence, consistency, and compassion.”

Before reading the proclamation, Ostrow reflected on his own experience accompanying EMS crews after first taking office.

“Well, it’s a privilege for me to deliver this,” Ostrow said. “I remember when I was first elected as commissioner, I went on a couple of ride-alongs … and it is amazing.”

Ostrow said the experience gave him a deeper understanding of the county’s size and the demands placed on emergency responders.

“There’s so many back roads, and there’s so much area that these folks have to cover, and they do it amazingly well,” he said. “And then the response times are phenomenal, and they’re very, very hard-working people.”

The proclamation recognized EMS providers as a critical lifeline regardless of the hour or circumstance, emphasizing that citizens depend on emergency medical care “all hours, day and night.”

‘Profoundly Proud To Be Part of This Team’

Following the proclamation, Jennifer Utz, director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services, spoke about the longstanding partnership between volunteer rescue squads and county career EMS personnel.

“I will say it’s both an honor and a privilege to serve alongside the men and women of St. Mary’s County EMS,” Utz said. “Our volunteer service has built the foundation, strong foundation. They’ve served their community for decades before the addition of career EMS in emergency services.”

Utz credited volunteer responders with laying the groundwork for today’s emergency response system and described career EMS personnel as a “force multiplier” helping expand services countywide.

“We stand beside them as a force multiplier to provide service to our community every day, and I’m profoundly proud to be part of this team,” she said.

She noted many EMS professionals perform difficult work with little public recognition.

“They perform exceptionally every day, without praise, in many cases,” Utz said. “So this week, we celebrate all they do to commit and dedicate to our communities, to keep them safe.”

Utz concluded by thanking responders currently on duty while emphasizing service above recognition.

“They do it every single day. Not for the praise, but for the privilege of public service,” she said. “What an honor it is to serve our neighbors in need.”

‘One System, One Mission, Our Patients’

Ed Moreland, chief of EMS for the Department of Emergency Services, connected this year’s national EMS Week theme to St. Mary’s County’s local philosophy.

“The improving outcomes together really pairs and reflects well with exactly the motto we’ve adopted of one system, one mission, our patients,” Moreland said.

Moreland pointed to recent recognition of the county’s cardiac care efforts through Mission: Lifeline designation and praised the collaboration among volunteer and career providers.

“We have an amazing group of volunteering career EMS providers, clinicians, and professionals,” he said. “Working in EMS is as much a vocation as it is a career path. This is something that you felt called to do and perform.”

He also thanked county commissioners for continued support of emergency services programs and resources.

Decades Of Service, Shared Commitment

Several EMS leaders and volunteers attending the ceremony introduced themselves, representing organizations including the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, Valley Lee Rescue Squad and the Department of Emergency Services. Speakers reflected a broad range of experience, from new EMTs to veteran responders with decades of service.

Lori Marsh, deputy chief of Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, offered a message of gratitude to the community.

“Some of us have been doing this for a couple of decades. Some of us are brand new,” Marsh said. “But either way, the community, I want to thank, personally, the community and the commissioners for the support we’ve received through the years.”

As National EMS Week continues through May 23, county leaders encouraged residents to recognize the local emergency responders who answer calls at all hours — often during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. The official proclamation urged citizens to thank EMS providers for their “dedicated service and compassionate care.”

About National EMS Week

National EMS Week was established to recognize emergency medical personnel and educate communities about the vital role EMS plays in public safety and health care. The 2026 observance marks the 52nd anniversary of the national recognition week, centered on the theme “Improving Outcomes, Together.”

You can watch the full proclamation below at 8:34.

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