Honoring Our Own

     Tom Summitt, EMT-PSCCP, is a DVD producer. At least he is once a year since 2004 when he started producing Honoring Our Own, a tribute to the state of Iowa's EMS providers who have died. Interspersed with professionally shot video--locally commissioned EMS scenes of helicopter and ambulance responses, color guards, etc., as well as stock footage from the DVD's production company--it features a procession of photos of departed medics that have been submitted by the families or coworkers who survive them, along with their names and affiliations.

     "They pay tribute at the National EMS Memorial in Roanoke, VA, but a lot of people cannot go to that. I thought this was something we could do for EMS here," he says.

     A firefighter/paramedic specialist-critical care paramedic, as well as the father of three paramedic/firefighter sons, Summitt knows how important a memorial gesture can be. His sons Andy and Jason work at Muscatine (IA) Fire Department, where he is also based, but he lost his eldest, Matt, who worked for Johnson County Ambulance in Iowa City, in 2000. His photo was included in the second DVD last year.

     Sponsored by the Iowa Association of EMS, the video is played during a ceremony at the state's annual EMS conference in November. The conference draws approximately 1,200 EMS professionals from around the state, says Summitt. The ceremony falls right before the final keynote address. Family members of the fallen are invited to attend.

     He describes the 25-minute program: "An honor guard from the fire department marches into the hall, followed by a bagpiper playing a traditional tune [Balmoral]. The guardsmen stand at attention in front of the stage as the DVD is introduced and played on two large screens behind them. Background music that matches the mood plays beneath.

     "If the medic passed in the line of duty, that is indicated," explains Summitt, but the cause of death is not the issue. In addition, the death need not be recent. Photos have been sent in for loved ones lost up to 10 years ago. The fact that they worked in EMS is the key, he says. "Especially in a state where 80%-85% of EMS are volunteers--we want to let people know what they did and how important they were."

     After the video, the list of names is read aloud and a ceremonial bell rung three times--the "Last Alarm." The honor guard presents copies of the DVD to the families, then files out under the bagpipes' Amazing Grace. "There are not many dry eyes in the house," acknowledges Summitt.

     Photos are already coming in for the third edition of Honoring Our Own, which will screen coincidentally on Veteran's Day.

     The video is made by Memories by Design, a specialty production house based in Spokane, WA. For more information or to make arrangements for a similar project, visit www.memories-by-design.com.