International Paramedics Day

Monday, 14 February, 2022

The College of Paramedics will be launching the first ever International Paramedics Day to recognise and celebrate the work that paramedics and first responders around the world do to give their patients the best possible treatment and care and improve the outcomes for those who are injured or unwell.

Starting in 2022, International Paramedics Day will be held every year on the 8th July which marks the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, the man often referred to as the 'father of modern-day ambulance services.'

It will be a day dedicated to the world's paramedics who have gone above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic, often at great risk to themselves and their loved ones.

The theme of the inaugural event is 'Proud to be a Paramedic' which it is hoped will resonate with paramedics everywhere, regardless of which area of paramedicine they practice in.

In the build up to the event and on the day itself, the College of Paramedics in partnership with paramedics' organisations, ambulance trusts and practitioners from around the world, will be sharing stories, photographs and videos to give people a better understanding of the work that they do and the vital role they play.

Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive at the College of Paramedics, explained: "We would love to see International Paramedics Day recognised annually around the world as a time to remember and salute the wonderful work that paramedics and first responders do. Never has their impact and contribution to high quality, person-centred care been more evident than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We would like to invite students, paramedics, their professional bodies, ambulance trusts and others to join us in supporting International Paramedics Day, reflecting on their work and the people they have helped, and sharing their thoughts on why they feel proud to be a paramedic."

The College of Paramedics is calling on paramedics' organisations around the world to partner with them to deliver on the core aims of the campaign which are set out below:

  • Celebrate paramedics and first responders around the globe and the vital role they play
  • Acknowledge the difference paramedics make to people's lives in almost every imaginable situation
  • Raise awareness of all the settings where paramedics work including primary and secondary care, GP surgeries, military, offshore, helicopter emergency medical services and telephone triage systems
  • Promote the profession to aspiring paramedics and students

All partners will be asked to collaborate and help to make International Paramedics Day a success by promoting inspiring stories and images as part of a shared, global effort as well as at a more localised level, within their own countries and communities.

To find out more about International Paramedics Day, please visit:
https://bit.ly/Int-Paras-Day and keep an eye out for further information which will be published @ParamedicsDay on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Return to news menu