TEXARKANA, Ark. -- The Texarkana Emergency Center and Hospital hosted its eighth annual EMS Appreciation Day on Wednesday downtown, honoring first responders in the community.
Twin Cities' fire trucks parked in front of Crossties, where first responders in uniform mingled to chat over lunch provided by Big Jake's BBQ. Each year, TECH invites local EMTs, police officers, paramedics and firefighters who care for the community.
"During Emergency Medical Services Week, we not only want to honor our EMS providers but also law enforcement and firefighters, as well," said Dr. Matt Young, TECH's chief medical officer.
Texas-side Mayor Bob Bruggeman and Arkansas-side Mayor Allen Brown attended, along with Young, Vickers Fuqua with Texarkana Funeral Home, the Rev. Anthony Ware, Tim O'Neal with Eagle Distributing, and James Bramlett with Farmers Bank and Trust, all co-sponsors of the event.
The mayors came together to proclaim May 24 as First Responders Day in both Texarkanas, and Ware prayed for the cities.
"Today we recognized our first responders from throughout the community, and we want to solely recognize them and thank them for the great work that they do by protecting our citizens each and every day, by putting their lives on the line," Bruggeman said.
Texarkana Arkansas Police Officer Gail Tyson was grateful for the recognition.
"For everyone to come together, it is something nice. It's good they show their appreciation to us for our hard work and dedication, so it means a lot. This is breathtaking, that someone would go out of their way to show us they appreciate us," she said.
LifeNet ambulance service is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this week. The company will host a party in the fall to show their appreciation to the EMTs and paramedics in the Texarkana community.