EMS Bicyclists Pause to Honor Colleagues
ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- They were understandably sore. Some said their calves were tight, while others candidly joked that it was difficult to sit for extended periods.
Despite their discomfort, personnel who participated in the annual National EMS Memorial Bike Ride sat through a brief ceremony Saturday night to honor their fallen sisters and brothers.
The remembrance service recognized all EMS personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.
Since this year's rides did not end at the site of the National EMS Memorial Service, bicyclists decided to hold a brief ceremony.
The annual memorial service will be held in Colorado Springs next month.
There will be a brief ride in Colorado to coincide with the annual service, however.
On Saturday night, FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino lauded the riders and their assistants for taking time out of their hectic schedules to remember the fallen.
"...You truly embody the best in EMS," he said.
Serino, who was appointed to the federal position last fall, reminded them they are fortunate to have two people with EMS backgrounds at the helm in FEMA. Administrator Craig Fugate was a paramedic in Florida.
Serino worked his way up through the ranks of Boston EMS to become its chief.
He said he loved being a paramedic, and responding to calls. And, he still considers himself part of the EMS family.
Serino said when you step into the role as a public servant, you become part of a family.
Instead of drifting through life, EMS personnel make the choice not to sit behind a desk.
"We lost 26 members of our family last year... They were husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and partners."
NHTSA EMS Director Drew Dawson said the event was a perfect closing for National EMS Week.
Regardless of the type of service provided, Dawson said he was proud that providers put their hearts and souls into serving their communities. He added that his office is committed to assisting EMS in whatever is necessary.
FDNY EMS Lt. Mike Sheridan was proud to have another EMS bike ride under his belt. He's been pedaling for the past seven or eight years. "I love it," he said, adding that he was a bit stiff.
Sheridan said it was an honor to ride through the Gettsyburg National battlefield. "It was a very moving experience," he said. "It was very solemn..." All 107 were allowed to traverse the trail together.
Ottawa Paramedic Chris Mosher wasn't about to let a blown tube spoil his ride through New York City.
"There was no way I was going to ride through the city in the back of a bus," he said with a laugh. "So, I just kept going." It was raining and cold that day, and that flat tire made riding even more uncomfortable for Mosher. But, he pedaled on.
"This was coolest experience of my life," he said. "Yeah, it was tough, but I wasn't stopping..."
Several EMS providers from Canada joined the ride this year. They are hoping to establish a similar event there soon.
Jennifer Frenette, president of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, said she is pleased things went well.
"There were a few hiccups of course, but it was great."
In addition to honoring the fallen, the ride promotes recognition of EMS.
