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Another massive disaster prompted international aid this week, right on the heels of last week's devastating cyclone in Myanmar. On Monday one of the worst earthquakes in decades struck central China, killing tens of thousands and leaving many more buried or missing.

Some victims were still being pulled alive from the rubble midweek, but rescuers were stretched thin.

For further details visit China Quake Toll Hits 15k as Aid Arrives; 26K Believed Buried.

The U.S. EMS community is mourning the deaths this week of a Wisconsin Med Flight crew. They dropped off their patient late Saturday and crashed shortly after taking off on their return flight to Madison.

Those killed were Dr. Darren Bean, director of the city of Madison's EMT program; Mark Coyne, RN and EMS instructor; and Steve Lipperer, pilot.

For more on this tragedy visit Colleagues Remember Victims Killed in Wisconsin Med Flight Crash.

The National EMS Memorial Service has selected the location to build a permanent memorial to fallen EMS providers: Colorado Springs, Colo.

The monument will be erected in the same park that is home to the International Association of Fire Fighters Memorial. The site selection started in 2006 and wasn't easy, NEMSMS officials say. They hope to have the site ready to host the annual EMS Memorial Service starting in 2010, but in the meantime the service will continue to be held in Roanoke, Va.

Read more in this exclusive report, Site Chosen for Permanent EMS Memorial.

Industry News:

EMS EXPO 2008: Celebrating 20 Years of Educational Excellence

EMS EXPO has announced plans for its 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition. Click for more information on "North America's Largest Gathering of EMS Professionals," to be held October 13--17, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nev.

EMS Magazine Online Exclusive:

EMS Week 2008: Giving a More Effective Ambulance Tour

EMS Week is next week, May 18-24, so here are some tips for leading successful station tours for the public, provided by Lisa Valadie, EMT-P.

"Your first instinct may be to run and hide," she writes, "but with some preparation, you will be ready for ambulance 'show and tell.'"

For more EMS Week ideas visit EMSResponder.com/EMSWeek, and please share your plans! E-mail Heather Caspi at EMSResponder.com, and Lauren Simon at ACEP.