This is the week America honors front line heroes. The professionals who provide emergency medical services in this community and in communities around the country. This is National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 15-21. Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham says “this is the 47th annual celebration of EMS Week, where we honor front line heroes, dedicated to providing emergency medicine that saves so many lives every day. The theme of ‘Rising to the Challenge’ is particularly meaningful as it reminds us that EMS professionals are faced with so many challenges today and they still rise above them.” What do EMS professional do in our community? How to they protect and serve? Yakima Fire Department officials say the week "supports and strengthens the EMS community by increasing awareness of the critical role of Emergency Medical Services."