Category: Press Releases

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2017 Honoree Brian Shepler | West Jefferson Medical Center

Paramedic Brian Shepler, 44, died February 10, 2016, after a mechanic’s rack failed, causing an ambulance to fall on him. He was a paramedic with the West Jefferson Medical Services in Louisiana.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

— Robert Frost

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2017 Honoree Jacob Shepherd | American MedFlight

Jacob Shepherd of American Medflight in Elko, Nevada, died November 18, 2016, while working as a flight paramedic transporting a critically ill patient on an American Medflight aircraft when it crashed, killing four people.

Shepherd had worked for several fire departments in Nevada and the Toole County Sheriff’s Office before becoming a flight paramedic and educator for American Medflight.

He was described as embodying purity, clear understanding, true happiness, and unconditional love. He is survived by his wife, Sadie Brooke Shepherd, two sons, and a daughter.

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2017 Honoree Lowell Satterwhite, Sr. | Dakota City Fire & Rescue

Lowell Satterwhite, Sr. had responded to a “full code” medical emergency on June 10, 2016, with the Dakota City Fire and Rescue in Dakota City, Nebraska.

Shortly after midnight a 911 call was made from his residence for possible heart attack. He was taken to the hospital where doctors attempted to continue to revive him but all efforts were unsuccessful.

People in the community had a lot of respect for him. He did everything he needed to do to keep the community safe throughout the years — fight fires, save lives, and literally change lives with what he did.

In both work and family, he was dedicated, loved to have fun, pulling little pranks, laughing, and enjoying the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Co-workers say Lowell was a leader at the fire hall, someone everyone could look up to in his 41 years with the department.

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2017 Honoree Nathan Rabison | Unity Hospital

Nathan Rabison, 28, died in the line of duty July 29, 1946, when the ambulance he was traveling in collided with a trolley.

Rabison was an ambulance surgeon for Unity Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

“Patrolman Dominic Gerardi, 38, attached to the emergency squad of Miller Avenue precinct, who was administering the oxygen [and] the patient…were shaken up but went home after treatment,” the New York Times article reads in part. The hospital was unable to give the paper further information on Rabison at the time the paper went to press.

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2017 Honoree Jonathan Noce | Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District

Jonathan Noce was working for the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District in Southern Jefferson County, MO. He had run three critical calls during his shift throughout the day and evening.

Noce went to his sleep quarters around 10 p.m. He did not wake for shift change the morning of May 25, 2016, and was found by his partner and co-workers in the sleep quarters deceased.

Noce had been with the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance for six years and was very well liked by everyone. His chosen profession allowed him to make a difference in many people’s lives.

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2017 Honoree Robert Morton Jr. | St. Vincent’s Hospital

Robert Morton, Jr., 27, died in the line of duty April 11, 1938, when he was thrown from the rear of an ambulance while responding to an emergency on Staten Island.

Morton’s skull was fractured, and he succumbed to his injuries later the same day. “Dr. Morton, who was specializing in surgery at St. Vincent’s, had been assigned to ambulance duty. About 2 p.m. a call was made for an ambulance to go to an address on N. Burgher Ave.

Dr. Morton responded in an ambulance driven by John Tighe,” the New York Times article reads in part. “The entrance that on the small seat at the rear of the vehicle, which is closed by the swinging doors. Detectives expressed the belief that one of the doors swung open, and that Dr. Morton, in an attempt to close it, lost his balance and was thrown for the speeding machine.

Tighe was unaware of the accident until a passersby called to him.” Morton was a graduate of Fordham University and of the New York University Medical College. He began his internship at St. Vincent’s July of 1937.

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Official National EMS Memorial Service to be Held May 19th – Donations Needed

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.

National EMS Memorial 2016

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.

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NEMSMS Weekend of Honor call for volunteers 2018

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

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The 2018 National EMS Memorial Service 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 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