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2025 National EMS Weekend of Honor recognizes 29 fallen EMS workers

The three-day event will pay tribute to fallen EMS and air medical personnel with public ceremonies and a formal memorial service

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Members of the National EMS Memorial Service Honor Guard lay the Service wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in 2024.

National EMS Memorial Service/Facebook

WASHINGTON — The 2025 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled for July in Arlington, Va., will honor 29 fallen EMS and air medical personnel from 14 states. The tribute is organized by the National EMS Memorial Service and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride.

The three-day event will include a range of activities open to the public to show their support for the service and sacrifice of the honorees, as well as their families and coworkers, the National EMS Memorial Service stated in a press release.

Upon arrival in the D.C. area, the Moving Honors procession will be escorted by the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Ride of Honor on the afternoon of July 18. An unveiling ceremony featuring the Tree of Life, engraved with the names of the 29 fallen honorees and a presentation to their families.

The formal National EMS Memorial Service will take place the following evening, July 19, honoring the lives and service of fallen EMS and air medical professionals.

“We are deeply committed to recognizing the sacrifices of EMS and air medical professionals who have given their lives in the line of duty, as well as supporting the families and loved ones they left behind,” National EMS Memorial Service President Scott Davis said. “Our mission is to ensure their sacrifices are always remembered.”

The National EMS Weekend of Honor was originally held in May to align with the start of National EMS Week, but it was moved to July in 2021. Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and a noticeable reduction in costs for participants, organizers decided to continue hosting the event in July.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.