Category: News

Posted on

2021 National EMS Weekend of Honor – New dates and location

tammy.chatman@national-ems-memorial.org

Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:

Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs

414-791-6655

National EMS Weekend of Honor 2021-New dates and location announced

Washington, D.C. (April 4, 2021) – The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF) and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) announce that the 2021 National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor, originally scheduled for May has been moved to July 23-25, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA. The goal for the reschedule was to balance our commitment to provide a safe and healing environment for all attendees while providing special recognition for the many participants who remain on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. The ceremonies will pay tribute to the past two year’s honorees-2019-2020-due to the cancellation of the 2020 events in response to the pandemic.

For those attending the Weekend of Honor and staying overnight, we ask that you please use the link below when booking your hotel rooms. The health and well-being of all who attend are of the upmost importance to our organizations and the hosting facility. Use of the link is critical as it allows our organizations and the hotel to better meet CDC guidelines for safe in-person gatherings over the three days.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRC/G-A8DT                              

*For any issues please contact the hotel at 877-803-7534

The Weekend includes a series of events to honor all air and ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers who serve in the US, while focusing on those who become ill or injured related to their duty. It culminates with a formal Service to specifically honor those who have died in the line-of-duty. 

Brian Shaw, NEMSMBR president states “For the past 20 years the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor begin with the arrival of our cyclist and support personnel meeting the honoree families. With that tradition in mind, and in addition to the five nationwide bike rides we have planned for September of this year, we are actively preparing a one-day ride into this year’s Weekend of Honor befitting our honorees. We will continue to shine a light on the sacrifices those in EMS make. More details will be posted on our website www.nemsmbr.org as they become available.” 

This year’s National EMS Memorial Service will pay tribute to over one hundred EMS providers who died in the line-of-duty in the largest service we have ever performed.  It will include numerous historical honorees as well a number of recipients directly related to the pandemic.  Jana Williams, NEMSMS president conveyed, “I reaffirm there has never been a more defining time to honor the service and sacrifice of those in EMS as there remains right now. Despite persistent challenges, we remain committed that the fallen will not be forgotten.  We appreciate the continued support to ensure they receive the full national recognition they deserve.”  The list of honorees and information on the weekend’s events including the National EMS Moment of Silence will be posted to the NEMSMS website at www.national-ems-memorial.org in the coming weeks. 

Katie Orsino, NEMSMF executive director shared “We support our partners at the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and the National EMS Memorial Service as they prepare modified events this year to honor our EMS colleagues. What our first responders have demonstrated especially over the last year has been extraordinary. It reinforces our resolve to bring a permanent EMS memorial to the nation’s capital to honor their commitment, service, and sacrifice. We will not waiver in our efforts to ensure it becomes reality.” Updates on the progress of this effort can be found on at www.emsmemorial.org.

The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. See http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/ for more information on the specific updates as they become available.

Posted on

2020 National EMS Moment of Silence

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2020-02-21-at-10.18.19-AM-1024x288.png

Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:

Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs

414-791-6655

tammy.chatman@national-ems-memorial.org

2020 National EMS Moment of Silence Announcement

Washington, D.C. (May 6, 2020) – The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF), and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) announce the 2020 National EMS Moment of Silence and ask for broad participation.

The National EMS Moment of Silence will be observed on Saturday, May 16, 2020.  It will begin at 1800 (6:00 PM) Eastern Daylight Time with a live-streamed reading of the names of the 24 Honorees originally planned for the 2020 Service, followed by an acknowledgement of those continuing to serve today and will culminate in a national moment of silence in a salute to all.

Organizers recognize these are unprecedented times for our world, our nation, and the collective first responder communities. Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of life including efforts by our organizations who remain dedicated to honoring EMS personnel for their service and especially for those who have died in the line of duty. While this ruthless virus keeps us physically apart, we can still join together to make sure our fallen and their families receive the acknowledgment they deserve.”

The Moment of Silence normally coincides with the annual National EMS Memorial Service which was postponed until next year due to COVID-19 precautions.  Williams continued, “With deep respect for the honorees and first responders who remain on the front lines, the National EMS Moment of Silence takes on greater importance as a meaningful reminder that the fallen will not be forgotten.  It is a touchless, responsible, yet impactful means to pause and remember without taking away from the necessary work at hand.”

This endeavor provides an opportunity for anyone to honor and remember first responders and especially those EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty.  It is also a way for the families and EMS colleagues of the fallen to feel the support of our nation.  Normally during the Service, at a specified time, the screens fade to black and a simple message informs family members and other attendees that across the country radios are simultaneously broadcasting the message below as a unified show of support. 

First responders, communications agencies and even members of the public wishing to participate are requested to observe 10-20 seconds of radio or general silence at the time indicated in the suggested script below. 

[NOTE: ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME. Please adjust as required for your time zone to coincide simultaneously. Also, time transmission of any alert/activation tones to begin speaking at the time indicated below.]

Begin script:

18:04:50                      (Insert tones as applicable, then wait 5 seconds)

(6:04:50 PM)              “All units please stand by for a special message…

18:04:55                      “Attention all units…

In conjunction with first responders across the nation and in recognition of the National EMS Memorial Service – an event that would be occurring now, but is postponed until next year due to continued COVID-19 efforts, this agency will observe a moment of radio silence in honor of our nation’s Emergency Medical Services providers who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice, and given their lives in the line of duty. The fallen are not forgotten.  We also pause in honor of those who continue to serve.  Your commitment and sacrifice defy words and inspire us all.

Please stand by unless you have emergency traffic”

18:05:00                      [Begin Moment of Silence]

18:05:20                      “This concludes the moment of silence. Thank you. Please resume normal radio traffic.”

:End script

Live streaming of this event will be provided on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NEMSMS. Organizers respectfully encourage everyone to post participation to social media platforms using #moment2honor and #ultimatesacrifice.

For more information please visit The National EMS Memorial Service at www.national-ems-memorial.org or our partners at The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride at www.nemsmbr.org and The National EMS Memorial  Foundation at www.emsmemorial.org.

2020 National EMS Moment of Silence Participant Information

Posted on

2019 National EMS Memorial Service Program

The purpose of the National EMS Memorial Service is to honor and remember those Emergency Medical Services personnel who have given their lives in the line-of-duty and to recognize the Ultimate Sacrifice they have made for their fellow human beings.

Never Forgotten Honorees for the annual service typically died in the calendar year preceding the service year. Some honorees’ deaths occurred prior to this but were only recently classified as occurring in the line-of-duty, or only recently brought to the attention of the National EMS Memorial Service, and therefore, are now being honored.

During the service, a family member or agency representative will be presented with a United States flag, which has flown over the United States Capitol, on behalf of a grateful nation and denoting the honoree’s service to their country; a white rose representing their undying love and a medallion signifying their eternal memory are also presented.

Each person being recognized is also represented by his or her state flag. After the reading of the Honorees’ names, there will be a National Moment of Silence. The names of those who are honored today appear on the newly minted 2019 “Tree of Life,” the temporary National EMS Memorial.

Click here to download the 2019 NEMSMS Program

Posted on

2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor pays tribute at National Harbor to Fallen EMS

Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2019) – The National EMS Memorial Service, 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 2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 17-19 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located at 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745.

There are many activities and events during the three-day 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 2019 honorees:

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
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.
• Nearly 200 EMS Memorial Bike Riders and support personnel, led by a procession of EMS vehicles, will arrive at The Plaza at National Harbor at approximately 4:00 pm. This year the NEMSMBR East Coast and Southern Routes will meet in Annapolis and ride into National Harbor together, kicking off the Weekend of Honor.
• Riders are predominantly EMS professionals from across the U.S. and Canada. Each of the riders wears dog tags bearing an honoree’s name, agency and date of their loss.
• Upon arrival at the Plaza at National Harbor, 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.
• The Presentation of the Dog Tags is immediately followed by a short ceremony.

According to Brian Shaw, President of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, “Participants of The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride are grateful to honor the lives of fellow EMS providers who have lost their lives doing the job the loved. While we cannot fully realize the true hurt felt by the families who have lost their loved ones, our goal is to ensure the contributions of these EMS heroes are recognized and not forgotten. Our participants will spend grueling hours on their bikes, pedaling hundreds of miles while carrying the names of the fallen inscribed on dog tags around their necks, all in hopes of meeting the families and exchanging stories of their individual journeys.”

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019
National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS)
• The National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS professionals who have died in the line of duty, will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.
• The entire memorial service can be viewed via live streaming. The link will be posted to the NEMSMS website in the days ahead.
• 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, flown over the nation’s capitol, will be presented to each of the thirty-six 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.

“This year, the National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the beginning of National EMS Week, which is May 19-25,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “As National EMS Week celebrates the men and women who provide emergency medical services on the front lines of healthcare throughout our country, it is our honor and duty to also remember those who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice while doing so.”

For more information,  visit www.national-ems-memorial.org, www.facebook.com/NEMSMS or Twitter@ NEMSMS, or contact Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs Officer, by calling 414-791-6655 or emailing tammy.chatman@national-ems-memorial.org.

 

Posted on

NEMSMS 2019 Call for Volunteers

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 2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 17-19 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 2019 honorees.

Jonathan Godfrey, NEMSMS board member, and volunteer coordinator is putting out a call for volunteers.

Click here to register as an attendee or a volunteer:

Event 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 17-19
• 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. The only global exception will be for the actual Memorial Service. Business casual or your work uniform is appropriate.

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

Parking

Self-Parking at Gaylord:
• 0-1 Hour: $12
• 1-2 Hours: $18
• 2-3 Hours: $22
• 3- 24 Hours: $30
Valet Parking at Gaylord:
• 0-2 Hours: $24
• 2-24 Hours: $49

A few blocks away there is a cheaper option: St. George Garage, 151 Mariner Passage, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

For more parking options:

Parkopedia

 

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

Hotel rooms: For the most up to date hotel room information, please click here:

Hotel Booking

 

For more information about volunteering, email Jonathan Godfrey at jonathan.godfrey@national-ems-memorial.org.

 

Posted on

Announcement of 2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor and Honorees

Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2019) – The National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR) will pay tribute to twenty-six EMS fallen from across the United States during the 2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 17-19 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located at 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. The list of honorees from thirteen states can be found on the NEMSMS website via the following link:
2019 NEMSMS Honorees

There will be several 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 twenty-six 2019 honorees. On Friday afternoon, May 17, 2019 the arrival and tribute ceremony of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will occur. The riders will be arriving at the National Harbor Plaza. Then on Saturday evening, May 18, 2019 the National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS and air medical professionals will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

The NEMSMS’ annual Line-of-Duty Death Seminar will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and is open to all who serve in EMS, Air Medical, Fire Service, or Law Enforcement and is offered at no cost to participants. Chaplains and other support personnel are also invited to participate. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking the following button:
LODD Seminar Registration

The National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the beginning of National EMS Week, which will be May 19-25. Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service shared her thoughts on the Service, “We are honored to commemorate the 26 first responders who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice in the service to others. As we prepare for this year’s Weekend of Honor, we will not only pay the respects of this great nation for their brave and selfless service but also show our support to their loved ones who have been left behind.”

On November 3, 2018, the President of the United States signed Public Law 115-275 to enable the National EMS Memorial Foundation to build a permanent EMS memorial in the Nation’s Capital. Ms. Williams commended the bi-partisan support and credits their colleagues at the Foundation saying, “This was accomplished after years of hard work and commitment by the Foundation that resulted in the passage of H. R. 1037 and S. 1692 by unanimous consent.

We applaud our partners at the National EMS Memorial Foundation on this extraordinary accomplishment and continue to support them as they work tirelessly to bring this project closer to reality.”

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

Posted on

The National EMS Memorial Service 2019 Honorees

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 2019 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 17-19 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located at 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745.

It is with great honor that the National EMS Memorial Service announces the 2019 Honorees:

Carroll Whalin, Miller Funeral Home Ambulance, January 13, 1961, Ambulance Crash, Texas

Cecil Brownlee, Miller Funeral Home Ambulance, January 13, 1961, Ambulance Crash, Texas

Larry Oberle, Sr., Alpha Fire Co Community Ambulance, August 1, 1971, Pennsylvania

Walter Nelson, FDNY, May 2, 2014, New York

Tim McClanahan, Lewes Fire Department, July 11, 2016, Delaware

Michael Guttenberg, FDNY, October 17, 2017, New York

Mousa Chaban, Tri-County Ambulance Service, January 22, 2018, Indiana

Joeddy Friszell, FDNY, March 5, 2018, New York

Steven Werner, Paramount Ambulance, April 27, 2018, Iowa

Gregory L. Rosenthal, Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport, April 27, 2018, Wisconsin

Rico Caruso, Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport, April 27, 2018, Wisconsin

Garry John, American Medical Response, February 13, 2018, Nevada

Klint Mitchell, Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport, April 27, 2018, Wisconsin

Matthew Adams, UnityPoint Health-Meriter, May 20, 2018, Wisconsin

Patrica Osburn, North Beach Fire and Rescue, May 26, 2018, Maryland

Felipe Torre, FDNY, October 10, 2018, New York

Robert Reeder, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, October 20, 2018, Pennsylvania

Jennifer Cross, Portsmouth Emergency Ambulance Service, October 26, 2018, Ohio

Chris Iverson, Bismarck Air Medical, November 18, 2018, North Dakota

Todd Lasky, Bismarck Air Medical, November 18, 2018, North Dakota

Bonnie Cook, Bismarck Air Medical, November 18, 2018, North Dakota

Martha Stewart, FDNY, November 18, 2018, New York

Joseph Rodriguez, FDNY, November 23, 2018, New York

Nicole VanHeel, Gold Cross Ambulance, November 25, 2018, Minnesota

Zachary Pruitt, Medical Center EMS, November 30, 2018, Tennessee

Felipe Huerta, Jr., Hidalgo County EMS, December 16, 2018, Texas