Nashville Fire Department Celebrates EMS Week 2026

The Nashville Fire Department (NFD) proudly joins communities across the nation in celebrating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week 2026, recognizing the critical role EMS professionals play in protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors every day. EMS Week runs from Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Saturday, May 23, 2026.

This year's EMS Week theme, "Rising to the Challenge: EMS Strong," reflects the resilience, skill, and unwavering commitment of EMS providers who respond to emergencies of every kind-often at a moment's notice and under the most demanding circumstances.

In Nashville, NFD personnel answer tens of thousands of calls for service each year. These incidents range from medical emergencies and traumatic injuries to fires and complex rescue situations. No matter the call, our teams are ready bringing both compassion and clinical expertise to every patient interaction.

A defining strength of the Nashville Fire Department is that every firefighter is also a trained EMS professional. All NFD firefighters are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), with many advancing their training to become paramedics. This integrated approach ensures that highly skilled medical care begins the moment our crews arrive on the incident scene, improving outcomes and saving lives.

As part of the week's recognition, the iconic Korean Veterans Bridge in downtown Nashville will be illuminated in orange, white, and blue on Thursday, May 21st, serving as a visible tribute to EMS professionals and their vital contributions to the community.

"EMS is at the heart of what we do," Deputy Director of EMS Operations Fred Smith said. "Our EMS and firefighters are constantly working to stay on the cutting edge of emergency medical response. But even more importantly, providing competent and compassionate care.

Residents are encouraged to take a moment during EMS Week to recognize and thank the men and women who stand ready 24/7 to respond to emergencies, provide lifesaving care, and serve with dedication and professionalism.