Association Update: National EMS Memorial Announces 2020 Dates, Honorees

The National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS), National EMS Memorial Foundation, and National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR) announce that preparations are underway for the 2020 National EMS Memorial Weekend of Honor, scheduled for May 15–17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md. The weekend includes a series of events that honor all emergency medical services providers from air and ground but especially those who become ill or injured related to their duty, and culminates with a formal service to honor those who have died in the line of duty. 

The events recognize EMS responders from across the United States. This year’s National EMS Memorial Service will pay tribute to 24 fallen providers who made the ultimate sacrifice. That list of honorees from 15 states can be found on the NEMSMS website at www.national-ems-memorial.org. 

There will be several activities during the three days, including a pair of events the public and media are encouraged to attend as a show of support for the service and sacrifice of the 24 honorees. On Friday afternoon, May 15, the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride arrival and tribute ceremony will occur. Riders will arrive at the National Harbor Plaza at approximately 4 p.m. EDT. This marks the 20th year the NEMSMBR has honored  EMS providers. Then on Saturday, May 16, at 5 p.m., the National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS professionals from ground and air medical, will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. 

The NEMSMS’s annual line-of-duty death seminar will be held on Friday, May 15, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and is open to all who serve in EMS, air medical, the fire service, or law enforcement. It is offered at no cost to participants. Chaplains and other support personnel are also invited to participate. Registration is required and can be completed at www.national-ems-memorial.org. 

A block of rooms has been reserved for all Weekend of Honor attendees at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Reservations are available from May 14–17. For discounted rates book via this site.

National EMS Week

The National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the beginning of the 46th annual National EMS Week, which will be May 17–23. “It is fitting that before EMS week commences—a time that celebrates all in EMS for their commitment—we pause to reflect and especially pay tribute to those EMS providers who gave their lives in service,” says National EMS Memorial Service President Jana Williams. “We are honored to commemorate the 24 first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 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 left behind.” 

During the Weekend of Honor, the “Tree of Life” will be on display at the Gaylord. While there are permanent national memorials to honor other first responders in both law enforcement and the fire service, there is no such memorial yet to honor fallen EMS providers. The Tree of Life was constructed as a temporary EMS memorial until a permanent one exists. On November 3, 2018, President Donald Trump signed Public Law 115-275 to enable the National EMS Memorial Foundation to build a permanent EMS memorial in the nation’s capital. 

Williams commended the bipartisan support the measure drew and credited colleagues at the National EMS Memorial Foundation. “This was accomplished after nearly 10 years of hard work and commitment by the foundation,” she says. “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 a permanent memorial closer to reality. In addition to our foundation colleagues’ efforts, we also recognize the work of our National EMS Memorial Bike Ride partners to not only honor EMS providers but to continue to shine a light on the illnesses, injuries, losses, and sacrifices those in EMS make.”

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

Tammy Chatman is public affairs officer for the National EMS Memorial Service. Reach her at  tammy.chatman@national-ems-memorial.org.