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I'd like to wish a Happy New Year to our readers as we wrap up 2008 and embark on the new opportunities and unknowns of 2009. The holiday season has been busy in EMS.

In world events, dozens of people were killed and injured during a New Year's nightclub party in Bangkok, Thailand. Victims suffered burns, smoke inhalation and stampede injuries.

Read more at Dozens Killed and Injured in Bangkok New Year's Nightclub Party Blaze.

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In the most-read tragedy of the season, a Texas family was killed and two responders were injured in a Christmas-Day ambulance crash.

Pronounced dead were a Shreveport mother and her adult twin sons. They were involved in a crash at an intersection with a Bonham Fire Department ambulance, returning to its station after answering a call. The responders were treated and released.

Read more at Texas Ambulance Involved in Christmas Triple Fatality Crash.

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In a brutal holiday shooting spree, a gunman dressed as Santa Claus shot nine people at his former in-laws California home during a Christmas Eve party and then torched the house. The violence began with the gunman shooting an 8-year-old girl who opened the door, and ended with his suicide after he left the scene.

For the latest visit 911 Call Released from California Santa Massacre.

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A tragic line of duty death occurred this December 20th when a Delaware responder was struck by a car while assisting the victim of a motorcycle accident. The driver sideswiped a police cruiser on the scene, struck the responder and motorcycle victim, and fled the scene. He has since been charged with murder.

Michelle Smith of the Delaware City Fire Company was a volunteer firefighter and rescue driver.

Read more at Murder Charged in Delaware Responder's Death.

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Finally, in one of numerous December avalanche deaths, a Colorado paramedic/firefighter was killed while snowmobiling with friends. According to reports, Brian Kopp of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority tried to assist his friends, a father and son pair, before becoming caught in the avalanche himself. Of those men, the father survived but the teen son died along with Kopp.

Read more at Avalanche Claims Colorado Rescuer.

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Exclusive on EMSResponder.com:

Making Opportunities; Madison, Ms. Fire Department Creates Child Safety House