Jurisdictions Vye for EMS Memorial
Personnel from three jurisdictions are vying to host the national EMS memorial monument.
The sites under consideration include Arlington, Va., Kansas City, Mo. and Colorado Springs, Col.
"All appear to be good locations," said Kevin Dillard, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. "It's going to be a difficult choice."
The site selection committee will be visiting the proposed locations and meeting with EMS officials about their plans for fundraising and perpetual care of the monument.
"This is a huge commitment on the part of the groups vying for the site. From what I've seen, they understand that."
The NEMSMS board expects to make a decision by early next year. Once the site is selected, the group will be accepting architects' proposals.
"We've been told that they can't start thinking about a concept until they know the setting," said Kevin Agar, site committee chairman. "They need to know what's around the location."
The board hopes to have the first memorial service at the monument site in 2010.
Every May, EMS personnel who give the ultimate sacrifice are currently honored at a memorial service in Roanoke, Va. Family members are presented a flag, a medal bearing their fallen hero's name and a white rose. However, there is no permanent monument at this location.
The entire event is planned and hosted by volunteers, who also provide the refreshments for the reception.
Dillard said the board's dream is to hire a staff member. However, no timetable has been set.
"We all know we could do so much more if we had at least one paid staff person. We are all volunteers, busy with our jobs and commitments to our squads and families."
Dillard said it would be ideal if a corporation would step up to sponsor the annual memorial service.
The board is committed to recognizing EMS providers who die in the line of duty. Dillard said knowing how much the fallen hero's families appreciate the effort makes it all worth while.
