Nominations Are Open and Encouraged
By Tammy Chatman
The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF) and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) have announced the dates for the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor for the next two years. Planning has begun near the nation’s capital for the following dates, July 22-24, 2022, and July 21-23, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA. The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will host the special one-day Ride of Honor as part of the Weekend as well.
In the months that have followed the 2021 National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor, held in July, the NEMSMS board met with key stakeholders to explore feedback. While this year’s events were moved from their traditional May dates to July primarily due to COVID impacts, it highlighted benefits the organizations considered in solidifying future dates. A primary driver included lower cost as the events are funded entirely by donations. Additional considerations included more family-friendly travel in summer months and the ability for partner organizations to schedule planned midyear meetings to coincide with the industry’s most honored events.
The National EMS Weekend of Honor includes a series of experiences to honor all air and ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers who serve in the U.S., 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. New this year, an effort aptly dubbed Moving Honors, preceded the Weekend of Honor. A procession of the temporary memorial (constructed new each year) had resounding impact and organizers expect to expand it going forward.
The National EMS Memorial Service recognizes and honors EMS and air medical personnel who have died in the line of duty from the previous year. Submission criteria and to submit a provider for consideration can be found in the following links:
national-ems-memorial honoree nomination
national-ems-memorial recognition-criteria
The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride recognizes the sacrifices of EMS personnel who are killed in the line of duty, become sick or injured during EMS service or died of various causes but left an impact on the EMS community. The link to submit a provider is:
The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial Foundation and National EMS Memorial Service. See www.national-ems-memorial.org for more information on specific updates as they become available.