NEMSMS, Author at National EMS Memorial Service

June 16, 2016June 14, 2016

Francis Charles 2016 Honoree

Francis Charles

FDNY-EMS
New York, New York

Francis joined New York City Emergency Medical Service in January 1986 as an EMT. He was assigned to EMS Station 33, which later became FDNY EMS Station 58 in Brooklyn, where he served for his entire career.

He knew that there was nothing more rewarding than helping others. He had a fatherly trait and showed all he encountered that he truly cared for them. He was active in his community where he lived. He was a religious man who was known as “Elder Charles” in his congregation at the Emmaus Church.

On September 11, 2001 and for many weeks thereafter, he like many of his co-workers, worked at the World Trade Center in an effort to rescue and later recover the bodies of the victims and his coworkers and friends who perished in the attack. He became ill from the toxins he was exposed to during this time and like many workers at Ground Zero.

Francis succumbed to his illness on August 27, 2013.

Honored 2016

June 15, 2016June 14, 2016

Michael Cavanagh 2016 Honoree

Michael Cavanagh

FDNY-EMS
New York, New York

He was a real gentleman with a winning smile. The New York City Emergency Medical Services welcomed Michael as a Paramedic on April 20, 1987. He attended the Academy with his sister, Patricia. By June he was working as a citywide paramedic, meaning he worked in just about every borough and every shift until he found a permanent spot on a regular unit. Michael absolutely loved being a medic and he also loved the camaraderie of EMS. He knew how to make his patients feel comfortable and secure. If all they needed was for him to hold their hand, he would do that. Being a paramedic was not just a job for Michael, it was a calling. It was a feeling in his body and mind that led him to be the kind of medic he was.

Michael served in the Air Force in the mid 1970’s. He liked the sense of belonging to something bigger than he was. It probably started with his family of one brother (Alfred) and 2 sisters (Patricia and Maureen) and of course his parents, about 27 first cousins, nieces and nephews, many neighborhood friends, boy scouts and school baseball teams. He eventually had his own family – Mary (his wife) and his children Mary and Joseph.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, like hundreds of his fellow first responders, Michael responded to the attacks at the World Trade Center. He spent endless days on site during the rescue and recovery operations. His efforts to save lives at the disaster site proved fatal 12 years later as he succumbed to disease on December 2, 2013.

Honored 2016

June 12, 2016June 12, 2016

2016 Event Photos – National EMS Memorial Service

The Dropbox links below contain the photos that were taken by the two National EMS Memorial Service photographers during the welcoming of the riders and at the service on Saturday night. The only photos that are not included are those of the families during their private moments on stage. Those ‘family only” photos will be disseminated to the designated contact person for the families from one of the NEMSMS board members. Please feel free to download and share any/all of the photos at no cost.

We hope that these photos will provide the families and stricken agencies, volunteers, friends and colleagues a way to remember the Weekend of Honor and the special tribute to our fallen. Let us always remember and never forget their sacrifice.

NEMSMS by: Mark Mennie
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r73nwej9q9epe1l/AAD9114GcuMU85VOAzf7WFZia?dl=0

Welcoming of the Riders
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2ngw3d1c3tzbmpd/AABYl3bpLRic42qLgPFC4h5Ma?dl=0

NEMSMS PIO photos
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jt4npf7uii6y8go/AAA6awlEueaCZSPQgmcytt76a?dl=0

Welcoming of the Riders
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7bm22q6mcqobp8f/AAAg8zcl9Xtj5n5m0ZjUKUBKa?dl=0

May 18, 2016May 18, 2016

National EMS Memorial Service Closes Out the 2016 Weekend of Honor

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: National EMS Memorial Service Closes Out the 2016 Weekend of Honor

WHEN: Saturday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Ballroom
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Families, friends, and colleagues of the 32 EMS and air medical professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty in service to others will be in attendance. Honor guards along with bagpipe and drum corps travel from around the United States to volunteer their time and services in honor of the fallen. This year’s keynote speaker will be James P. Booth, EMS Chief of the City of New York Fire Department. There will also be a team from HOPE Animal-assisted Crisis Response (www.hopeaacr.org ) at the service to provide comfort and support to the families, colleagues and volunteers.

DETAILS: According to Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service, “The purpose of the service is twofold – to honor the lives of our fallen colleagues and to provide hope, along with our unwavering support, to their families. We feel it is the responsibility of the EMS community to stand by the families during this time of tremendous loss and sometimes overwhelming grief. The annual memorial service offers an opportunity for the family, friends and associates of fallen EMS providers to meet and connect with others who understand what they’re going through.”

During the service each honoree’s family is presented with the following three items:

A U.S. flag that has flown over the Nation’s Capital – denoting the honoree’s service to country
A white rose – representing undying love
A medallion – signifying eternal memory

A national moment of silence is called during the service at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern) and EMS agencies across the U.S. participate in 30 seconds of radio silence in remembrance of the fallen. Additionally, a tribute video, prepared specifically in honor and remembrance of the year’s honorees, will be shown.

Every year of the National EMS Memorial “Tree of Life” (1993-2016) will be on display. A large panel for each year features an image of an oak tree with bronze leaves that are engraved with the names of fallen honorees.

For those who cannot attend but would like to see the service, a live stream video will be done via the following internet link: http://live.hosted.events/NationalEMSMemorialService/ . It will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. EDT.

A Candlelight Ceremony will close out the evening. A light reception sponsored by the Board of Directors of the National EMS Memorial Service follows and all participants are invited to attend.

The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial Service, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. See http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/events-2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xcyzefzlk6qfm4/Memorial%20Service_16.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uo076thmdwx6mdv/Memorial%20Service_6.JPG?dl=0

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May 18, 2016May 18, 2016

Welcoming of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride to Arlington, VA

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: Welcoming of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride to Arlington, VA
WHEN: Friday, May 20 at 4:00 p.m. (approximately)
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Independence Center A
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Families, friends, and colleagues of EMS and air medical professionals who lost
their lives in the line of duty as well as EMS legacy personnel who have died of natural
or non-employment-related causes will gather to cheer the National EMS Memorial Bike
Riders as they roll into Arlington. The riders will be led by law enforcement and
fire/EMS vehicles as they proceed to the hotel. Bagpipe and drum corps along with honor
guards from around the United States will also be there to welcome the riders.

DETAILS: Each of the 100 participants will be carrying dog tags inscribed with the
names of 90 individuals that they have ridden in honor and memory of over the past
seven days. The riders will present their dog tags to the awaiting families, friends or
colleagues. A short ceremony will follow the dog tag presentations. A team from HOPE
Animal-assisted Crisis Response ( www.hopeaacr.org ) will also be on hand at the event.
The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed
organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial Service, and
the National EMS Memorial Foundation. The lives of 32 air medical and EMS providers
who died in the line of duty in 2015 will be honored and celebrated on Saturday evening,
May 21, at the National EMS Memorial Service. See http://www.national-emsmemorial.
org/events-2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event
times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zf4f65k01gbexac/Arrival%20of%20riders.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3v31jpo04mfiv4h/Ceremony%20and%20presentation%20of
%20dog%20tags_9.JPG?dl=0
National EMS Memorial Service:
For more information, visit https://www.national-ems-memorial.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/NEMSMS; Follow us on Twitter at @NEMSMS and
@NEMSMSweekend.

National EMS Memorial Foundation:
For more information, visit www.emsmemorial.com. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-EMS-Memorial-
Foundation/139542192884813?fref=ts; Follow us on Twitter at @EMSmemorial

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride:
For more information, visit www.muddyangels.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/muddyangels; Follow us on Twitter at @nemsmbr and on
Instagram at @nemsmbr.

May 11, 2016May 12, 2016

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (East Coast Route) to kick off the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (East Coast Route) to kick off the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Over 100 participants will be volunteering their time and resources to honor the
lives of 90 EMS individuals over this seven-day ride from Boston to Arlington, VA. The
Muddy Angels, as they are called, come from throughout the United States and Canada.
They are riding for the National EMS Memorial Service inductees, as well as EMTs and
paramedics who made significant contributions to their EMS communities and who died
of natural or non-employment related causes.

WHY: When asked why they ride, National EMS Memorial Bike Ride East Coast
Coordinator Ken Fritz stated, “I think it’s important to remember not only those we’ve
lost, but all that are in the field each day. EMS is a dangerous, difficult profession, but
one that is totally essential in our society. I believe it’s important to raise awareness of the
profession as a whole and to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the
line of duty.”

DETAILS: Check out the routes by day for the ride at the following site:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/2016-NEMSMBR-East-Coast-Day-1 .

Please note that the Day 3 route in New York City will be escorted by New York Police
Department and Fire Department New York so final route will be not be determined until
the day of the event. The final day of the Ride will end with the arrival of the riders at the
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA, where they will present each family with a
dog tag inscribed with the name of their loved one.

The National EMS Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following
volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS
Memorial Service, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. The lives of air medical
and EMS providers who died in the line of duty in 2016 will be honored and celebrated.
See the National EMS Memorial website http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/events-
2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cddeke27wlfsdo5/EMS%20Memorial_23.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rdjfgiaoh7uq8d/Ceremony%20and%20presentation%20of
%20dog%20tags_31.JPG?dl=0

National EMS Memorial Service:
For more information, visit www.national-ems-memorial.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/NEMSMS; Follow us on Twitter at @NEMSMS and
@NEMSMSweekend.

May 6, 2016May 9, 2016

National EMS Weekend of Honor Returns to Virginia and Pays Tribute to Fallen EMS Heroes

Special events open to the public include:
National EMS Memorial Service & National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

Washington, D.C. (May 6, 2016) – The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will pay tribute to 32 fallen EMS and air medical providers from 15 states during the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington, Va.

There are many activities and events during the three-day 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor, including two events that the public and media are invited and encouraged to attend as a show of support for the selfless service and sacrifice of the 2016 honorees:

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016
Arrival & Tribute of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR)

The NEMSMBR celebrates the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those EMS legacy personnel who have died of natural or non-employment-related causes.
About 100 EMS Memorial Bike Riders, led by a procession of EMS vehicles, will arrive at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, concluding a trip that began on May 14 in Boston and kicking off the 2016 Weekend of Honor.
Riders are predominantly EMS professionals from across the U.S., and each rider wears dog tags bearing an honoree’s name, agency and date of their loss.
Upon arrival at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, the Presentation of Dog Tags to the families will occur. The rider will meet the family in front of the honoree’s biography to present one of their two dog tags worn during the ride – an emotionally powerful part of the Honor Weekend. The rider will keep the other dog tag as a lifetime reminder of the honoree’s sacrifice.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016
National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS)

The National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS professionals, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
The entire memorial service can be viewed via live-streaming.
Hundreds of EMS personnel from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the NEMSMS, along with friends, co-workers of current and past honorees, dignitaries, EMS and business leaders, and government officials.
All participants in the NEMSMS will be in dress uniform, flight suits, or similar appropriate attire.
Honor Guards, along with bagpipe and drum corps will volunteer their time and services throughout the weekend.
An American flag, sent by President Barack Obama on behalf of a grateful nation, is presented to each honoree’s family along with the NEMSMS medallion.
During the service, a National Moment of Silence will be called at 6:00 PM (Eastern), so that EMS agencies across the U.S. can pause simultaneously in 30 seconds of radio silence to pay respect and remember the fallen—together.
The year’s honorees are highlighted in a special Tribute Video, followed by an uplifting Candlelight Ceremony that concludes the service.
The National EMS Memorial “Tree of Life” will be on display. Bronze oak leaves are engraved with the names of fallen honorees for each year since 1993.

In August 2015, the three EMS organizations named above agreed to collaborate on a shared vision and strategic plan to honor EMS heroes who have died in the line of duty. They are continuing to move forward with efforts to establish a permanent National EMS Memorial in the greater Washington, D.C. area, an effort being led by the National EMS Memorial Foundation. More updates on these efforts will be forthcoming.

“This year, the National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the conclusion of National EMS Week, which is May 15-21,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “Our nation’s capital area in Northern Virginia is a fitting location for these annual memorial events that commemorate our country’s brave men and women in the field of emergency medical services.”

# # #

Editor’s Note: High-res images can be downloaded from Dropbox at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/c7pck80a4ftttby/AABTQ5ejFGDwYJ9-c0FcDmZIa?dl=0

Printable PDF

April 19, 2016May 3, 2016

2016 National EMS Memorial Service Honorees

Michael F. Cavanagh
FDNY-EMS, NY

Francis Charles
FDNY-EMS, NY

Shane Michael Clifton
City of St. Paul Fire Department, MN

Luis de Peña Jr.
FDNY-EMS, NY

Chad Frary
Native Air, AZ

Thomas Giammarino
FDNY-EMS, NY

Thomas Fritz Hampl
American Ambulance / SkyLife Helicopter, CA

Daniel Hampton
City of Burnet Fire Department, TX

Stuart Hardy
Burton Fire Department, SC

Rick G. Hartley
Southeast Colorado Hospital Ambulance Service, CO

Kyle Juarez
American Ambulance / SkyLife Helicopter, CA

Kenneth Krulish
St. Johns County Fire Rescue, FL

Janice M. Keen-Livingston
West End Ambulance Service, PA

Marco Antonio Lopez
American Ambulance / SkyLife Helicopter, CA

John Mackey
Jessamine County EMS, KY

James V. Maguire IV
Hillsborough Rescue Squad, NJ

Patrick Edwin Mahany Jr.
Flight for Life-Colorado, CO

Matt Mathews
Eagle Med, OK

William Lawrence McKinney Jr.
Rockingham County EMS, NC

Kristin Elizabeth McLain
Travis County StarFlight, TX

Harold McNeil
FDNY-EMS, NY

Barry Garfield Miller
Bergen Fire Department Inc., NY

Douglas Mulholland
FDNY-EMS, NY

William C. Olsen
FDNY-EMS, NY

Linda Ohlson
FDNY-EMS, NY

Ralph E. Oswald
Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps, NY

Hinal Patel
Spotswood Emergency Medical Services, NJ

Kenneth Duane Prunty
Tri-Community Ambulance, PA

Ronald Rector
ARCH Air Medical, MO

Tyrone Rogers
FDNY-EMS, NY

David Schneider
Native Air, AZ

Erik Park Steciak
Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, MD

October 31, 2015November 1, 2015

EMS Organizations Announce Date & Location for 2016 Memorial Service to Honor Fallen EMS Heroes

Washington, DC. (Oct. 30, 2015) – The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride are pleased to announce that the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor will take place the third weekend in May, which coincides with the conclusion of National EMS Week. The weekend features multiple events to honor the nation’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s East Coast route takes place May 14-20, 2016. The ride begins in Boston and ends in Arlington, Va., arriving in time to open the Weekend of Honor. The NEMSMBR implements long distance cycling events that recognize the lives of EMS providers who have died in the line of duty, as well as providers who have given significantly to EMS and have died of other causes.

The weekend’s culminating event, the National EMS Memorial Service, which honors fallen EMS providers who have died in the line of duty, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington, on the afternoon of Saturday, May 21.

While many details about the specific activities are still being planned for the EMS Weekend of Honor, a block of rooms has been held at the hotel and anyone interested in attending the events may book a room in the block from now until April 25, 2016, when the block is released.

To book a room in the block, visit https://resweb.passkey.com/go/nemsms. The booking link provides additional information about the hotel property. Attendees can also call toll-free 1-888-421-1442. When booking by phone, please reference “National EMS Memorial Service Annual Service.”

In August 2015, the three organizations agreed to collaborate on a shared vision and strategic plan to honor EMS heroes who have died in the line of duty. They are also moving forward with efforts to establish a permanent National EMS Memorial in the greater Washington, D.C. area, an effort being led by the National EMS Memorial Foundation.

“We are pleased that the date and location are confirmed for the 2016 service and Weekend of Honor,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “We are excited to partner with these organizations and Hyatt to appropriately gather, pause and provide the tribute our EMS colleagues and their families so richly deserve.”

More updates about the National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and the EMS Weekend of Honor will be forthcoming.

October 31, 2015November 1, 2015

About the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride:

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Inc. honors Emergency Medical Services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty. For more information, visit www.muddyangels.org. “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/muddyangels; Follow us on Twitter at @nemsmbr and on Instagram at @nemsmbr.

For National EMS Memorial Bike Ride
Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Trish Jubinville, Public Information Officer
315-212-1589
pio@muddyangels.org