Team 3022: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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2009 Routes

NYC to Roanoke, VA

Day 1-Tarrytown to East Brunswick, NJ
Day 2- East Brunswick, NJ to Tinnicum Township (Philadelphia), PA
Day 3- Tinnicum Township to Georgetown, DE
Day4- Georgetown, DE to Woodstock, VA via Washington, DC (partly truck and train transport)
Day 5- Woodstock, VA to Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Day 6- Skyland to Staunton, VA
Day 7- Staunton, VA to Roanoke, VA

(Approximately 650 miles minus truck/train transport during stage 4.)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Seasons Greetings!

I am really excited about the 2009 National EMS Memorial Ride. David and I are facing an epically physical and mental challenge in May. We are looking forward to representing the Great State of Oklahoma as we join fellow EMS professionals from around the world in remembering our fallen EMS comrades!

The May 2009 ride is still a half year away, but I am already focusing on it in regards to training. Even with the motivation for the ride, it can still be difficult to find the will to train when the temperature is in the 30s-40s and the wind is blowing 20 mph! I have been very fortunate in being able to participate in a few group rides with the Ardmore Cycling Club and Fossil Racing Team. For the cyclist out there, you know having a group to ride with can be the extra motivation you need to get out the door and ride 3+ hours in the cold. I have been riding with some very talented cyclists that have been pushing me to my limit and some days a little beyond. These "base building rides" will be essential to ramp up to long distance spring rides in preparation for the 600+ miles we will cover during the third week of May.

David and I are very excited about the promises for support that we have already received. We would like to thank our friends at OEMTA, BlueRidge Medical Supply, and EagleMed air medical transport for their pledges of support. We understand that money can be tight in these uncertain economical times, and we thank you for finding a little extra in your budgets to support this worthy cause. For those that have not had a chance to donate, remember that donations are 100% tax deductible and will be forwarded directly to the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Fund. The donations raised will support the families of the fallen medics, with a portion being sent back to Team 3022 to help offset expenses for the 7 day ride from New York to Roanoke Virginia.

Thanks again for your support!

Eric

Oklahomans Lost in the Line of Duty

Oklahoma EMS has lost three professionals while in the line of duty.

Paramedics Michael Shane Gilmore, 31, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma & Shawn L Skelly, 28, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, lost their lives October 6, 2002. The medics were assisting an accident victim into the back of an ambulance when they were hit by a vehicle that skidded out of control and slammed into the back of their ambulance during a rainstorm. The patient they were assisting was also killed. Both medics were employed by Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Janez Case, 52, of Clayton, Oklahoma, was killed in the line of duty on February 1st, 2007. She was riding in the back of the ambulance attending an accident victim when the driver of the ambulance lost control on the icy road. Ms. Case was taken to Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith where she died later in the day.
Janez was an Emergency Medical Technician for the Clayton Oklahoma EMS, in Clayton, Oklahoma.