NATIONAL MOMENT OF SILENCE
                          NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 20, 2002
Contact:  Kevin M. Agard, Project Chair
Voice:    201-896-3862 - Fax: 240-597-2527
E-mail:   pio@nemsms.org


            National EMS Memorial Service announces
            Fifth Annual National Moment of Silence

Carlstadt, New Jersey - The National EMS Memorial Service today announced plans for the Fifth Annual National Moment of Silence, to be observed on Saturday, May 25, 2002, coinciding with the National EMS Memorial Service to be conducted in Roanoke, Virginia. The National Moment of Silence offers EMS providers and agencies around the nation the opportunity to join with those in attendance at the National EMS Memorial Service in honoring and remembering those members of our nation's Emergency Medical Services who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the line of duty.

The National Moment of Silence seeks voluntary participation by all the nation's EMS providers, agencies and emergency communications centers in observing a moment of radio silence timed to coincide with the moment of silence observed during the actual service held annually in Roanoke. In previous years, the "Moments" have seen the participation of over 700 agencies and dispatch centers from around the United Staes.
The Committee has prepared a "Suggested Script" and instructions for  those agencies wishing to participate. These may be obtained by  contacting the National Moment of Silence Committee via any of the following methods: 

Mail:    National Moment of Silence
         P.O. Box 6604
         Carlstadt, NJ 07072-0604
         Please include a SASE [#10 or larger] with your request. 

E-mail:  nmos@nemsms.org

E-mail:  nmosinfo@nemsms.org - (Auto-responds with Participant
         Information in ASCII format) 

WWW:     http://nmos.nemsms.org (Participant Information in 
         HTML format)

FTP:     ftp://nemsms.org/All_files/Free_Files/nmosinfo.exe
         (Participant Info in a self-extracting "zip" format)

The National EMS Memorial Service has, since 1992, been honoring those EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. This year, at a Service held at the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, members of the honorees' families are presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the Nation's Capital, symbolizing service to the country; and a White Rose, symbolizing their
undying love.

Each honoree's name is engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the "Tree of Life," the permanent memorial on exhibit at the "To The Rescue" Museum, Roanoke, Virginia.

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