Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

This year is the 50th anniversary of EMS Week (May 19-25). This year's theme is, honoring our past-forging our future. By taking a pause to recognize the contributions of each generation, the people who dreamed that EMS could save more lives and have less suffering, and then found ways to make it happen. EMS Week is never just about the past, however. It’s also about inspiring the EMS professionals just starting out and the young people who haven’t even discovered EMS yet. It’s about learning from the challenges and building on the successes of the last five decades. It’s about forging the future—a future in which the next generation has the tools they need to deliver compassionate care and alleviate suffering in communities everywhere.

National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 18-24, 2024, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities, and that 75 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

May is National Electrical Safety Month and this year's campaign will focus on lithium-ion battery safety. The materials for this year’s campaign educate the public on how to purchase, use, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely. 

Lithium-ion batteries power the devices we rely on every day. These batteries can be found in cell phones, tablets, laptops, electric scooters and bikes, toothbrushes, and backup batteries. When purchased and used correctly, lithium-ion batteries can provide a valuable service, but there is a risk of fire and injury if uncertified batteries or chargers are used. 

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million was awarded to 165 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.