NEMSMS Officials Name Fallen Heroes to be Honored at Annual Service

On June 23, EMS personnel who died while serving their communities will be honored during the 20^th annual National EMS Memorial Service.

This year, the names of 20 providers will be added to the memorial. They include 18 who died in 2011, and two who gave the ultimate sacrifices in the ‘80s.

 The memorial service is set for 6 p.m. at Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, Col.

 Each honoree's family is presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the Nation's Capital, symbolizing service to the country; and a white rose, symbolizing their undying love.

 Those who will be honored came from various agencies including large and small squads as well as flight crews.

 A number of activities are planned for the families and colleagues during their visit to Colorado Springs, the future home of the EMS memorial.

 This also marks the 15^th anniversary of the moment of silence in honor of the fallen heroes. At 7:30 p.m. on June 23, crews across the nation are asked to pause and remember the sacrifices.

In the past, dispatchers at many communications centers throughout the country have announced: "Attention all units operating on this frequency, in conjunction with the National EMS Memorial Service now ongoing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this agency will observe a moment of radio silence in honor of those members of our Nation's Emergency Medical Services who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and given their lives in the line of
duty."

Crews are then asked to hold transmissions for one minute unless there is an emergency

On Tuesday, NEMSMS officials announced those being honored during this year’s service. They include:

 *Charolette "Charlie" Adair, of Richfield Township Fire Department, Berkey, OH, who died in the line of duty on Oct. 28, 2011 of injuries sustained after being struck at the scene of a call.

 *Randall Joe "Randy" Bever, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, Aug. 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation crash.

 *Scherese M Bishop, of Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District, Beverly Hills, MO,March 11, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

 *Charles Black, of Superior Air-Ground Ambulance, Highland, IN, Aug.10, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event

 *Carmen I Burnette, of Putnam County EMS, Cookeville, TN, Feb, 5, 2011 of complications from surgery for an on-duty injury.

 *Mark W Camara, of Poultney Rescue Squad, Poultney, VT, Oct. 7, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

 *Daniel C Dare, of Avon First Responders, Avon, IL, Feb, 1, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

 *William G "Bill" Didier, of Trans North Aviation, Eagle River, WI, Nov. 28, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation crash.

 *Chris Frakes, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, Aug. 26, 2011of injuries sustained in a medical aviation crash.

 *James R Freudenburg, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, on Aug 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation crash.

 *Richard "Dick" Hanlon, of Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Madison, NJ, Feb. 15, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

 *Russell C Hogue, of Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Service, Spencerport, NY, March 11, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

 Michael S Kenwood, of Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Princeton, NJ, on Aug. 28, 2011 of drowning during swift water rescue.

*Jeffery Landgraf, of Kearny County EMS, Lakin, KS, April 18, 2011 of injuries sustained in an on-duty motor vehicle collision.

*Gary Liszewski, of Broward County EMS, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 22, 1987 of an on-duty cardiac event.

*Bruce Mandell, of Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad, Maplewood, NJ, Oct. 3, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

*Matthew Pellettere, of River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service, River Edge, NJ, on Jan. 16, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

*Merlin Sayan, of Kalkaska EMS, Kalkaska, MI, Feb.13, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.

*Alan L Unger, of Inwood Township EMS, Cooks, MI, March 6, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.