Category: Press Releases

Washington, DC — The National EMS Memorial Service today announced the details for the upcoming official memorial service to honor the lives of 36 Emergency Medical Services personnel who died in the line of duty in 2017. Each year, the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride pay tribute to our fallen EMS and air medical practitioners from throughout the United States as part of EMS Week.  This year, the memorial service will honor 36 EMS practitioners who died in the line of duty in 2017, as well as some who suffered line of duty deaths in prior years and who had not been recognized for their selfless acts.

Donations Are Needed

Funds are also needed to help cover the high cost of the event. The Memorial Service receives no financial support from any government agency and relies solely on the generosity of private and corporate donations. Much of the cost of running the service go toward the direct expense for the service, memorial flags and pendants, hotel fees and audiovisual equipment, meals, and hotel accommodations. 

The Memorial Service covers the lodging costs for family members who need it, to help ensure that all family members will be able to attend and participate in the service and activities.  “It costs approximately $130,000 a year to conduct this program and donations are sorely needed as we have not yet reached our fundraising goal to cover these expenses,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “Having all the families at this weekend to honor their loved ones is so important to help bring some closure to the terrible grief they have suffered – getting them here is the least we can do, as it is so important for them during this difficult time,” she added.

A “gofundme.com” account has been set up – search “2018 NEMSMS” to donate. For corporate donations, contact Tom Liebman by emailing thomas.liebman@national-ems-memorial.org or calling 412-715-5444. The National EMS Memorial Service is a non-profit tax exempt, 5401(c)(3) organization, so donations are tax-deductible to the donor.

Service Details

The official EMS Memorial Service for 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 6 p.m. in the Cherry Blossom Ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD, 20745. The service is open to the public and the news media are welcome.

“This formal memorial ceremony honoring our fallen EMS practitioners will be a moving tribute, complete with honor guards, testimonials, and music – it will be a celebration of the lives of those emergency service practitioners who gave the ultimate sacrifice while helping others in time of need,” said Williams. “Our nation’s capital 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,” she said.

There will be many activities during the planned three-day “Weekend of Honor” including several programs and events specifically for the families of the fallen, many of whom will be in attendance for the entire weekend. One highlight of the weekend takes place on Friday afternoon, May 18, 2018, with the arrival and tribute ceremony by the nearly 130 riders of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride who began their week-long ride to honor fallen EMS practitioners in Boston. The ride culminates at the Gaylord with the EMS Memorial Service.

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. Visit www.national-ems-memorial.org for more information on the specific event times and locations.

Washington, DC — The National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will pay tribute to our fallen EMS and air medical providers from throughout the United States during the 2018 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor. 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD, 20745.

There are many activities and events during the three-day Weekend of Honor, including two events the public and media are invited and encouraged to attend as a show of support for the selfless service and sacrifice of the 2018 honorees.

Jonathan Godfrey, NEMSMS board member and volunteer coordinator, is putting out a call for volunteers.
Link to register as a volunteer or attendee:

http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/national-ems-memorial-service-weekend-honor-registration/

Volunteers are needed from Thursday through Sunday afternoon. Opportunities to help will range from escorting families and setting up chairs to passing out programs.

“The peak time will be from about noon on Friday through Saturday night. I do not have exact details on what ‘work’ there is to be done hour by hour, but we will have plenty of use for anyone wanting to help,” Godfrey said. “Feel free to bring a friend at the last minute!”

Here are the details

Peak times:
May 18-20
Friday, Noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. – Noon

Attire:
Comfortable clothes that you can help physically move and assemble items. You will be given a shirt that indicates you are a volunteer to wear over your choice of clothing (Except Child Life specialists who have specialized shirts). The only global exception will be for the actual Memorial Service. Business casual or your work uniform is appropriate.

Friday and Saturday evenings:
Both of these evenings will provide you the opportunity to socialize with all of the other people putting on the service. There will be food and a cash bar on the top level of the hotel. This is usually quite fun especially on Saturday when the pipes and drums entertain the crowd.

Address:
Gaylord National Hotel, Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor
201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD, 20745.

Parking:
If you plan on parking at the hotel, then please contact Jonathan Godfrey by email at jonathan.godfrey@national-ems-memorial.org.

Hotel rooms:
For the most up to date hotel room information, please contact MJ Brickey via email – mj.brickey@national-ems-memorial.org

Regan National (DCA) is still the closest and most convenient local airport.

To print or share release, click on the link below:

Call for volunteers 2018 NEMSMS

The National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF), and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR) remember and honor emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty and recognizes the ultimate sacrifice our Nation’s fallen EMS have made for their fellow man in the Greater Washington DC area in May annually.

The NEMSMS, the NEMSMF, and the NEMSMBR will pay tribute to EMS fallen during 2018 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located at 201Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745.

It is with great honor that the National EMS Memorial Service announces the 2018 Honorees:

Scott Riola, RICO Aviation, 4/28/2017 Texas

Misty Nicholson, RICO Aviation 4/28/2017, Texas

Robin Shaw, RICO Aviation 4/28/2017, Texas

Frank Hafner, Allamuchy Green First Aid Squad, 6/8/2015, New Jersey

Robert Vetter, Mon Valley EMS, 6/27/2017, Pennsylvania

Cory Moore, RB Lawrence Ambulance, 7/5/2017, New York

Gregg Williams, RB Lawrence Ambulance, 7/5/2017,  New York

Roderick Cota, RB Lawrence Ambulance, 7/5/2017, New York

Edith Torres, FDNY 2/8/2017, New York

Rose Scott, FDNY 2/15/2017, New York

Mario Bastidas, FDNY 4/1/2017, New York

Christopher J Bosche, MO EMS Task Force One & Ohio D-MAT 9/12/2017, Ohio

Marina Challeen, HealthEast Medical Transportation, 10/9/2017, Minnesota

Michael Hahn, US Dept of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security, 9/18/2017, Virginia

Yadira Arroyo, FDNY, 3/16/2017, New York

Mark Harris, FDNY, 5/13/2017, New York

Krista McDonald, Southeast Hardin EMS, 10/14/2017, Ohio

Gregory Wentzel, First Aid & Safety Patrol EMS, 3/7/2017, Pennsylvania

Michael Collums, MedStat EMS, Inc., 2/21/2017, Mississippi

Paul Besaw, American Medical Response, 6/1/2017, Florida

Lahiri Garcia, American Medical Response, 6/1/2017, Florida

Michael Murphy, PennSTAR, 5/25/2017, Pennsylvania

Crystal Sollinger, Duke Life Flight, 9/8/2017, North Carolina

Jeffery Burke, Duke Life Flight, 9/8/2017, North Carolina

Kristopher Harrison, Duke Life Flight, 9/8/2017,  North Carolina

John Auld III, Pafford Air One, 11/19/2017, Louisianna

Michael Bollen, Pafford Air One, 11/19/2017, Louisianna

James Spruiell, Pafford Air One, 11/19/2017, Louisianna

Peter J Kelly, Methodist Hospital Ambulance, 2/12/1953, New York

John F Huoy, US Army Hospital-Fort Hamilton, 8/13/1944, New York

Roger W Ogburn, New York City Bellevue & Allied Hospital – Bellevue Ambulance Service, 7/24/1927, New York

John Leddy, Long Island College Hospital Ambulance Service, 7/31/1919, New York

Mrs. Charles Meyer, Women’s Motor Corps of American Ambulance Service, 2/13/1919, New York

Margaret Devere, Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Service, 10/24/1918, New York

Paddy Travers, Bellevue Hospital Ambulance Service, 7/7/1901  New York

David Blausen, Wilkins-Churchill Rescue One, 7/5/1971,  Pennsylvania

Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs
414-791-6655
tammy.chatman@national-ems-memorial.org

Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2017) – The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will pay tribute to the EMS and air medical fallen during the 2018 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located at 201Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745.

There will be many activities during the three-days 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 2018 honorees. On Friday afternoon, May 18, 2018 the arrival and tribute ceremony the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR) will occur. Then on Saturday evening, May 19, 2018 the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS and air medical professionals, will be held. Both events will be located at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

It was in August 2015 that the three above-named EMS organizations agreed to collaborate on a shared vision and strategic plan to honor EMS heroes who have died in the line of duty. They continue 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.

“The National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the beginning of National EMS Week, which will be May 20-26,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “Our nation’s capital area in Maryland 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.”

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 www.national-ems-memorial.org for more information on the specific event times and locations.

# # #

David A. Shrader, 62, passed away at his home October 26, 2017. He was surrounded by his loving family and a good dog. Dave was a kind and compassionate man. He worked a lifetime of caring for people and improving the systems that responded to emergencies. Dave started in EMS in 1972 as an EMT.  He founded the high angle rescue squad that responded to emergencies in Greenville, SC’s mountainous areas.  He was an EMT, then Paramedic. As his love for caring for people grew he moved into supervisory roles of EMS systems. He mentored many first responders and he guided the way cities and counties responded to medical emergencies.

Dave founded The Polaris Group, an EMS consulting firm that helps communities redesign their first response systems.  His work refined how many communities dispatch ambulances to emergencies.  His work spanned systems all across the country.  His colleagues say that his work “quite literally has saved millions of lives.” Another long-time colleague said “Dave was a charismatic and inspirational man who contributed so much to the lives of people around him, and to the lives of people who will never know him or what he did through his work. His impact on society will live on as a great testament to him.”

Dave also gave a huge part of his life to helping the communities he lived in.He was a member of the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years. He was promoted to Deputy Chief and helped guide the department through many improvements.Dave not only spent his life rescuing people, he was always a fan of a good rescue dog. Many lucky four-footed family members graced his side through the years.
Dave loved adventure. He was a long-time pilot who was as happy to fly right-side up or upside down or a floatplane to Alaska.

In his younger years, he was an avid rock climber. He loved to sail and be on the water. He kayaked, camped and adventured all across North America from Alaska to Baja Mexico and many places in between. He loved to travel and explore new places.  Most of these wonderful adventures were shared with his loving wife Jeanne.

Dave is survived by his wife Jeanne, father Conrad Shrader, sister Nancy McHorney, her husband and their two children. He was predeceased by his mother Patricia.  Many good rescue dogs will also be waiting to greet him on the other side.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to any of the following: National EMS Memorial Service, the animal shelter of your choice or Interfaith Community Outreach, a local charity on the Outer Banks.

National EMS Memorial Service is an organization that takes care of the families of EMS workers killed in the line of duty.

National EMS Memorial Service
P.O. Box 279
Oilville, VA 23129-0602

Interfaith Community Outreach https://www.interfaithoutreach.com an organization that takes care of people facing a temporary emergency crisis.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the online register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.