Wake County EMS proudly participated in the Raleigh Christmas Parade this 2005 Holiday Season. The parade unit featured a number of paramedics and their families, 2 ambulances, a supervisor's SUV, and a sparkling holiday float. A group of several paramedics, coordinated by District Chief Jeffrey Hammerstein, worked to build the float for the November parade.

When the parade unit took to the streets of Downtown Raleigh, the paramedics presented the theme "Give the Gift of Life, Learn the Chain of Survival." The float featured a Christmas Tree surrounded by large gift boxes representing links in the Chain of Survival. On the back of the float were two paramedics along with several pieces of EMS equipment, which represented the 4th link in the chain: Early Advanced Care. The float also provided a thrilling ride for many of the paramedics' children.

The EMS contingent was well-received in the parade with many viewers offering heart-felt thanks and appreciation for the daily work of EMS. Click here to see more parade pictures.

Click here to learn more about the American Heart Association's "Chain of Survival."