EMS Memorial 

In 1998, the United States Congress, through concurrent resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives, designated the National EMS Memorial Service be held annually, as the Official EMS Memorial Service in the United States.

The purpose of the National EMS Memorial Service is to honor those emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty and to recognize the ultimate sacrifice they have made for their fellow man. During the service, a family member or agency representative will be presented with a United States flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol denoting the honoree’s service to their country, a white rose representing their undying love, along with a medallion signifying their eternal memory. As part of the service, each person being recognized will be represented by their state flag that is carried by an Honor Guard.  After the last name has been read there will be a moment of silence, followed by a last call and the playing of taps. 

The names of those who are honored appear at the National EMS Memorial “Tree of Life".

Pre-hospital providers are killed every year in the performance of their duties.  An oak “Tree of Life” honors the memory of these emergency medical service personnel.  On this tree are bronze leaves with the individual names of those who have died in the line of duty.  The oak leaf has historically been accepted as a symbol of strength, valor and solid character.  All are common characteristics of these honored men and women.  

In 2011, the Pennsylvania EMS Provider Foundation (Foundation) held the first annual EMS Memorial Service to honor Pennsylvania's brothers and sisters.  The name of each honoree is read followed by the ringing of the bell every year.  The honorees date back as far as the National EMS Memorial Service records have provided and are not limited to the current year.

The Foundation will host an Annual EMS Memorial Service at the Capitol building on September 10, 11, or 12, whichever date fall on the Monday following the PA EMS Memorial Bike Ride.

We honor the following Pennsylvania EMS providers who have lost their life in the line of duty and service to the residents of this Commonwealth.

  • Samantha Agins, Camp Jaycee, Stroudsburg
  • Ethan Amsbaugh, Priority Volunteeer Response Ambulance, Mt. Union
  • Robert Ashby, Christiana Ambulance, Gap
  • Brenda Bauer, City of Reading Fire, Reading
  • David J. Blausen, Wilkins-Churchill Rescue One, Wilkins
  • Walter L. Bricker, Metal Township Fire & Ambulance Co, Fannettsburg
  • John Buchner, City of Scranton FD Ambulance, Scranton
  • Jeanette M. Christ, University Medevac/Lehigh Valley Hosp, Allentown
  • Kelly A. Conti, Critical Care Diversified Enterprises, West Mifflin
  • John Demkosky, Lackawanna Ambulance Service, Scranton
  • Bruce H. Ditlow, St Joseph Hospital, Lancaster
  • Kline DeWire, Susquehanna Health System EMS Department, Williamsport
  • Kevin A. Ellefson, Medic Rescue Ambulance Service, Beaver Falls
  • Donald J. Felker, Collingdale Fire Company No 1, Collingdale
  • Dale C. Francis, Lifestar Ambulance Corps, Quakertown
  • Michael “Boz” Garvin, Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad, Willow Grove
  • John M. Goodwin, Guthrie One Helicopter, Sayre
  • Thomas Gruen, Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association, Tunkhannock
  • Richard A. Hartley, Derry Township Fire Police, Lewistown
  • Mark W. Haussler, Guthrie One Helicopter, Sayre
  • McCaw Herbert, American Medical Response, Philadelphia
  • Thomas Hicks, Citizens Volunteer Fire Company, York
  • Wesley Hostetter, Lack Tuscarora EMS, East Waterford
  • Daniel E. Keller, Fayette EMS, Connellsville
  • Robert Kohler, Sr. Northeastern Area EMS, York
  • Shawn M. Kramer, Hamburg Ambulance Service, West Lawn/Hamburg
  • Robert W. Justis, St. Luke's Transport Service, Tannersville
  • James S. Landis, University Medevac/Lehigh Valley Hosp, Allentown
  • John F. Legieko, Parkesburg Ambulance/Fire Co, Parkesburg
  • Janice Keen-Livingston, West End Ambulance, Johnstown
  • Kevin Maffettone, Bucks County 2012 Morrisville, Levittown
  • Herbert W. McCay, American Medical Response, Philadelphia
  • Daniel W. McIntosh, Bensalem EMS, Bensalem
  • Harry R. Moore, City of Duquesne EMS, Duquesne
  • Paul Moyer, Yoe Ambulance, York
  • Michael R. Murphy, PennSTAR, Philadelphia
  • Barry John Nagle, Silver Spring Ambulance and Rescue, New Kingston
  • Deborah J. Nole, Guthrie One Helicopter, Sayre
  • Elwood C. Queen Sr., Irvona Volunteer Ambulance Service, Irvona
  • Larry Oberle, Alpha Fire Company Community Ambulance, State College
  • Ken Prunty, Tri Community Ambulance, Monogahela
  • Robert Reeder, Crozer-Keystone EMS, Upland
  • Patricia A. Riccobono, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown
  • David Sauder, Leola Ambulance Association, Leola
  • Heinz Schulz, Emergycare/LifeStar of Erie, Erie
  • Richard Shoaf, Jr., Swarthmore Fire & Protection Assn, Swarthmore
  • Edward E. Soper, H.O.P.S. Ambulance, Le Raysville
  • William R. Spence, CJ Systems Aviation Group, West Mifflin
  • Ethel M. Speros, Willow Street Ambulance Assn, Willow St
  • Richard J. Stark, Thornhurst Vol Fire/Res Ambu Sq, Thornhurst
  • Daniel Sweeney, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia
  • Joseph M. Vagnier, Monroeville Fire Dept, Monroeville
  • Robert Vetter, Mon Valley EM, Monessen
  • John M. Watson, Moscow Volunteer Fire Department/Hose Co Ambulance, Moscow
  • Kevin L. Weatherlow, St Joseph Hospital, Lancaster
  • Craig Webb, University EMS, Dauphin
  • Gregory Wentzel, First Aid & Safty Patrol, Lebanon
  • David A. Womer, Mt. Carmel Area Rescue Squad, Mt Carmel
  • David Young, Central Juniata EMS, Juniata

The Foundation would like to include all the names of providers.  If you do not see the name of someone who should be on the list, please send an email to executivedirector@aa-pa.org and include either a news article or as much information as possible about the individual.

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