EMS When Seconds Count - IAFF

This coin celebrates Emergency Medical Services professionals, who understand that every second counts when you are committed to saving every life you can.Men and women in the emergency medical services are known for their skill under pressure and their passion for saving lives. Prepared by extensive training and driven by a deep desire to help those most in need, these talented and dedicated individuals always rise to the occasion to get the job done. Their professionalism and desire to achieve excellence in the face of daunting challenges inspires not only the people they help, but all those who witness their work. In communities across America, these individuals complete their assigned mission with great skill and compassion.Founded in 1918, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has supported the life-saving work of the most dedicated and highly skilled emergency professionals in the world. Committed to providing its approximately 267,000 members with the most advanced training and equipment available, the IAFF enables emergency professionals to confidently pursue their mission to save lives no matter the circumstance.Minted in the USA from solid bronze, using special deep-relief coining dies, and hand-finished with an antique patina for exceptional quality and detail, this coin pays tribute to the courageous emergency medical professionals who put their lives on the line to safeguard us all. The obverse depicts the Star of Life, the symbol denoting and honoring all emergency services personnel, with the words "WHEN SECONDS COUNT" AND "EMS." The reverse contains the Maltese Cross logo of the IAFF. Worn by the Knights of St.John, the legendary warriors of the Crusades, the Maltese Cross has been worn as a badge of honor by firefighters for centuries.