Local EMTs Rod Koehn and Carl Blondell will participate in this year’s National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. During EMS Recognition Week, May 15 to 22, bike riders from around the country will participate in a 600- mile bike ride starting in Portland and ending in Washington, DC. Another contingent of riders will start in Kentucky and meet the northern group in Washington, DC.

This ride is called the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and is an event to honor those EMS folks who have given their lives while performing their EMS duties taking care of the sick and injured.

Two NorthStar EMS crew members will participate in this ride. These folks are part of an EMS service that is always there, waiting to take care of the public when needed. The local EMTs are: Carl Blondell, EMT-P, Farmington Base; and Rod Koehn, EMT-P, Livermore Base.

Last year, 130 riders represented 26 states and two countries (Ireland and Canada). This year, organizers are hoping to have even more participants who want to show their support to their fallen brethren and their families.

“Each day will be a different distance and a different part of the country, with some of the best new friends from around the country –-all sharing the same goals, the same emotions as to why we are riding,” said Blondell. “Riding the back roads is the best way to see some of the most awesome parts of our country.

“The days will flow by with the aches and pains of the rides, the climbing of the next hill, the hot temperatures, and the desire to quit but keep moving on for the next mile and the relief to find the next rest stop or the end of that day. The days will end with better opportunities to establish relationships and bonds with the fellow riders, especially after listening to their stories of lost friends,” Blondell concluded.

Area EMS services often host rest stops, lunches and dinners. “Their kindness, enthusiasm, service and good food prove to be one of the best boosts for morale. These folks go above and beyond to make us feel appreciated and welcomed –-one more aspect for the EMS family,” Blondell noted.

On the last Saturday, the participants will all gather for a memorial service to remember and honor their fellow EMS providers from around the country that have given their life while performing their EMS duties and doing something they firmly believed in.

Blondell and Koehn are requesting financial assistance to help pay the costs of this ride. The costs consist of lodging and travel while on the ride. The group rides every day for seven days (80-110 miles per day) and stops in various towns for the night.

“This is a significant effort for all of us; it takes several months to train for the ride. We are only looking for help with the cost of hotels and gas,” Blondell said.

Make checks out to: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Inc. (NEMSMBR Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization). Send the contributions to: EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Attn: Carl Blondell, PO Box 256, Rangeley, Maine 04970-0256.

For more information, call Blondell at 592-1328, or send email to cblondell@myfairpoint.net.