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EMS Tips

Follow the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

This morning the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride started in New York and Kentucky. Riders are participating for lots of reason, which you can read at this post on the ride website.

The vision of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is to honor “Emergency Medical Services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve everyday, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.”

Not everyone can ride, but everyone can support the ride. Read these Everyday EMS Tips to support the ride:


  1. If you blog write a post about the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. Send your readers to http://muddyangels.org/ to learn more about the ride and riders.
  2. Visit the Muddy Angels website for daily updates. http://muddyangels.org/
  3. Make a donation or become a sponsor.
  4. If you live near the ride route take a moment to recognize and congratulate the riders.
  5. Get outside in your community for a walk, hike, run, swim, or bike ride.
  6. Do the easy things to prevent line of duty injury and  death – wear a seatbelt, minimize emergent driving, and never assume your partner notices an imminent hazard.
  7. Organize a memorial service, moment of silence, or recognition time during a training or staff meeting at your organization.

I frequently run and cycle because I can. I am grateful for my good health and fortune that I can gulp in the fresh air as miles of pavement pass beneath me. As I run and ride during the week of the National EMS Memorial Bike ride I will be thinking of my EMS colleagues that can no longer walk, ride, or run. How will you recognize and celebrate the lives of EMS providers that have become sick, injured or killed in the line or duty?

By Greg Friese

Greg Friese, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is an author, educator, paramedic, and marathon runner.

Greg was the co-host of the award winning EMSEduCast podcast, the only podcast by and for EMS educators. Greg has written for EMS1.com, JEMS.com, Wilderness Medical Associates, JEMS Magazine, EMSWorld.com and EMS World Magazine, and the NAEMSE Educator Newsletter.