Tuesday, August 31, 2010  RESPONDING EMS HELICOPTER CRASH KILLS 3 IN THE LINE OF DUTY-ARKANSAS
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
 
We regret to advise you that 3 crew members of an AirEvac Lifeteam EMS helicopter were killed in the Line of Duty early this morning while responding to a serious vehicle crash in central Arkansas. The Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter was flying to pick up a traffic crash victim when it went down near the Scotland community in Van Buren County (80 miles north of Little Rock) at about 4:30 a.m. The helicopter, built in 1978, was registered to Air Evac EMS Inc., based in West Plains, Mo. There apparently was no distress call and the cause of the crash wasn't immediately known. 

Air Evac has experienced several fatal crashes in recent years. In 2008, an Air Evac helicopter crashed in an Indiana cornfield killing three people. In 2007, another three-member crew was killed when an Air Evac helicopter crashed in Colbert County, Ala. In 2006, an Air Evac helicopter crashed in Gentry in northwest Arkansas, killing the three-member crew and last month, an Air Evac helicopter made a forced landing near Tulsa, Okla., after the aircraft's hydraulics failed. No one was hurt.
 
 
REMINDER: 9/11 is ONE WEEK FROM THIS SATURDAY:
GO HERE for Your FD's 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/$9-11.shtml
 
 
NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS INFORMATION AND UPDATES FOR YOU AND YOUR SCHEDULE:
 
1-Memorial Weekend is approaching
The 2010 dates are October 2 and 3. If you have never been, this is a MUST for your "to do" list. Trust us.
Watch a special message from NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki outlining ways you can help honor the nation’s fallen firefighters.
Memorial Weekend message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgj9Kj2J7y4
2-Do you have the 2010 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Tribute Widget on your website?
Honor the firefighters being remembered at this year’s Memorial Weekend by placing this special tribute on your website.  Each day we will feature one of the 80 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2009 along with 25 who died in previous years. Firefighter Close Calls is one of the more than 100 websites and blogs carrying the widget so far. 
WHY NOT make sure your department has the widget added to its homepage.
Get the code: http://weekend.firehero.org/widget/
 
3-A Memorial Weekend Tradition Now Online: Sign the Remembrance Banner
The Remembrance Banner is a Memorial Weekend tradition that allows family members to write messages to their fallen firefighters. Write your thoughts about a relative, friend or colleague who has been honored at Emmitsburg. Also, if you've attended or volunteered at a previous Memorial Weekend, share a special memory with us or pay tribute to a fallen hero.
The Virtual Remembrance Banner: http://weekend.firehero.org/remembrance/banner.php 
 
4-ATTENTION RACE FANS: Hurry - Tickets for the 3rd Annual Firefighter Appreciation Event at Dover’s Monster Mile® Are Going Fast!
Don’t miss out on this special event pre-race celebration and race No. 2 in the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" at Dover, DE!  For just $99 you get: a race ticket, trackside tour, corporate style hospitality, and special guest appearances.  Proceeds benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Get your tickets today: http://www.doverspeedway.com/nfff10  (Enter Code NFFF10)
 
5-ATTENTION BASEBALL FANS: Go To Bat for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation!
Team up with State Farm® and MLB® to support the charity of your choice and you could win a trip for 2 to the 2010 MLB® World Series® ! Simply pick the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) as your charity, play the Go To Bat game online and swing for the fences.
Go to bat for us today: http://www.statefarm.com/gotobat
Take Care-BE CAREFUL,
BillyG
The Secret List 8-31-10 / 1131 Hours
www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com