May 2, 2003
MEDICAL CENTER EMS PARAMEDICS TO BICYCLE 900 MILES IN MEMORY OF FALLEN COLLEAGUES
Three Hackensack University Medical Center Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics will bicycle 900 miles departing from the Massachusetts State House on Friday, May 16 to Roanoke, Virginia in memory of colleagues who have died in the line of duty. Medical center paramedics Jennifer Waddleton of Lodi, Ronn Rotonda, and his wife, Kara, of Hasbrouck Heights, and Glenn MacDonald of Fair Lawn will ride to honor their colleagues who will be recognized at the National EMS Memorial Service on May 24, 2003 in Roanoke, for making the ultimate sacrifice. This is the second time the trio has participated in the memorial bike ride that will take them through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

Hackensack University Medical Center is sponsoring the trio’s trip, including the provision of three Trek 4900 bicycles. The riders hope to bicycle more than 100 miles a day, for eight days, escorted by police vehicles and accompanied by a sizable EMS motorcade. 

Ms. Waddleton, paramedic at the medical center and rider said, “We hope to bring awareness to our jobs, as we are more than just ambulance drivers, we are paramedics who put our lives on the line.” 

Mr. Rotonda, paramedic at the medical center and rider added, “ Our motivation is to honor our own.” More than 100 EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and doctors will join the 2003 National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, representing organizations from throughout the eastern United States, and the contingent will arrive in Virginia in time to participate in the National EMS Service.

The National EMS Bike Ride was conceived two years ago by Jamie Orsino, a Boston EMT who sought to increase public awareness of the National EMS Service, which has been recognized by Congress as America’s official EMS memorial service. Seventeen EMS professionals lost their lives on September 11, 2001, which strengthened the resolve of the original members to make the ride a larger, annual event.

For more information on the EMS Bike Ride Itinerary, please call Peggy Schunk at (201) 996-3586.
 

 

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