By Ruby Mehrer 

Emergency Medical Personnel in the Greater Kansas City area are working to bring the National EMS Memorial Project to the Heartland.   

The goal of the project is to build a permanent, outdoor Tree of Life memorial to honor those EMS providers who have made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives in the line of duty.  Each year on Memorial Day weekend families visit the national site to honor and remember those who have been lost.

The recent closing of The Rescue Museum in Roanoke, Virginia, which housed the Service's memorial exhibit, the Tree of Life, and the uncertainty regarding its future, have made this matter a priority for the organization.   

According to the committee working on the project, it’s a logical step to try to bring the National EMS Memorial to the middle of the United States and Kansas City is the ideal location. 

“The Memorial exists for many reasons, primarily to honor our fallen comrades, but the families of these brave men and women are always in the forefront of our decision making process." said Kevin Agard, National EMS Memorial Service Board Member and Tree of Life project chairman. "Our site selection criteria were developed to assure attending the annual Memorial Day service is as easy as possible for the families, friends and co-workers of our honorees." 

While there is no guarantee the Missouri site will be selected, the local committee to bring the memorial to Kansas City believes they are on track to meeting all the requirements. 

The National EMS Memorial Service Project wishes to move as rapidly as possible, with an eye to a 2010 unveiling, this effort will be conducted in 4 phases, with the first two phases running concurrently: 

1.   Identify and acquire a suitable tract of land for the Memorial. 

2.   Design concept solicitation and selection. 

3.   Fund-raising. 

4.   Construction 

The following criteria must be met: 

• Within a 60 minute drive of a major hub airport.
• Location suitable for quiet reflection and remembrance.
• Within 10 - 15 minutes of large hotel(s).
• Reasonably level and "accessible" property.
• House(s) of worship nearby.
• Reasonable access to utilities (electricity, water, sewage)

In addition to the above, any location seeking consideration should also have significant support from the local EMS community.

The National EMS Memorial Service relies heavily on the local EMS community for the volunteers necessary to carry out the annual Memorial Service. 

All designs should incorporate the "Tree of Life" and "Oak Leaf" concepts.  

The Missouri committee has already gained support of many major EMS organizations as well as community leaders.  Pledge letters to help defray costs will be out soon. 

To learn more about this project visit http://www.nemsms.org/ or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .