Berkshire Mall Hosts EMS Expo This SaturdayPatrick Ronan
iBerkshires Staff
05:30PM / Wednesday, May 12, 2010
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Looking for something to do this weekend? Shop for shoes, then watch a car excavation.
The Emergency Medical Services of Berkshire County will be holding its EMS Expo this Saturday at Berkshire Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event kicks off National EMS Week, which officially begins on Sunday and recognizes the live-saving services provided by EMS workers on a daily basis.
Local EMS providers will be scattered throughout the common areas of the mall, proving information on their line of work while also conducting CPR demonstrations. In the space previously occupied by Old Navy, there will be car excavation demos throughout the day.
There will be two ambulances stationed in the mall, and the public will have access to the vehicles' various functions. Fire trucks provided by the Pittsfield and Savoy departments will also be located in the parking lot, offering the public an opportunity to see what it's like to board the massive apparatuses.
"We're excited to show the community what the EMS service is all about," Shawn Godfrey, operations manager of Village Ambulance Service in Williamstown, said. "Getting exposure to the public is important."
The expo is geared to people of all ages. Whether it's a child eager to see the inside of a fire truck, a teenager interested in pursuing a career in medical services, or an adult looking for a detailed explanation of their local EMS providers, the expo will cater to all visitors.
While Godfrey stressed the significance of informing the public about EMS, he said there also will be plenty of in-house festivities to mark the week.
"The idea is to educate the public, but at the same time to recognize the people who do it every day," he said. "We'll purchase lunch for employees during the week, and everyone will receive a gift."
On the night before the expo, the Emergency Medical Services Committee (EMSCO) of Berkshire County will have its annual awards and dinner banquet at the Elks Hall in Pittsfield.
On Sunday, North Adams Ambulance Service will host an open house from 11 to 3 at its headquarters on 10 Harris St. The event will offer activities for children and a cookout for anyone interested.
For more information on National EMS Week, visit here. |
