The REMS Council releases a weekly dispatch to update BOD members, OEMS and VDH stakeholders, and all interested parties in the news and happenings in the Council. To be added to our mailing list for DISPATCH, fill out this easy form.
New and Noteworthy:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials, are investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Additional testing was initiated on Friday, March 22, and over the weekend because farms have also reported finding deceased wild birds on their properties. Based on findings from Texas, the detections appear to have been introduced by wild birds. Initial testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, which would indicate that the current risk to the public remains low.
A person in the United States has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”), as reported by Texas and confirmed by CDC. This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas and was presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. The patient reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom, and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu. This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low.
In the past few weeks, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has received an increasing number of reports of sick or dead birds in the eastern part of the state with the first report provided by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in early March. Preliminary testing indicates that the likely cause is H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Confirmatory testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory is still pending.
Past week at the Council:
Staff attended The Hype and the Hope: Exploring Artificial Intelligence in EMS, a panel discussion exploring the impact of artificial intelligence in emergency medical services. Panelists explored AI’s application in their areas of specialization: dispatch and communications, ePCR and RMS software, EMS education, and revenue cycle management. Application to FY25 milestones were noted in the insights and takeaways on the emerging applications of AI in EMS.
REMS Council supported another week-long EMR training program for an outside agency. The training included the use of the REMS Regional Training and Simulation Center, REMS equipment and interactive immersive room.
REMS Council supported a Safety Seat Check Site in Rappahannock County at Chester Gap (Co 9) from 1100-1300. The next site in Rappahannock County will be May 9th at Washington, Company 1.
REMS staff coordinated and finalized the upcoming IBSC Approved Critical Care Review class April 15-18 and met with all assistant instructors.
REMS hosted the quarterly CISM team meeting.
Staff attended the Regional Medication Kit Transition WG meeting on April 8, and REMS Pharmacy WG meeting on April 11. The WGs reviewing updates from several sources related to the upcoming changes in November.
Staff attended the Virginia Board of Health meeting in Richmond. There was an extensive agenda, but please review for any relevant information for your needs.
An additional five BLS Instructor candidates were tested for skills before the instructor class to be held on May 16th.
Staff attended the 2024 Virginia Datathon VIRTUAL kickoff event. The event is produced by the Virginia Office of Data Governance and Analytics and leverages the Virginia Open Data Portal powered by new technology. Teams have a week to develop an innovative solution and presentation related to recruiting and retention. On April 19, teams will meet at the Richmond ACCA Shriners Center where a panel of judges will review the team presentations and awards will be announced to the first, second, and third place. Twenty teams are participating.
Staff also attended the NEMSIS v3 implementation Call on 4/10, and the weekly VDH virtual forum.
News You Can Use:
After nearly 10 years of service to OEMS, Bryan Hodges will be leaving to pursue a new and exciting opportunity. He will join a national company, where he will be working to ensure that agencies meet all state and national reporting requirements. Bryan’s last day at OEMS will be Friday, April 26. Any questions that you would normally direct to Bryan can be sent to [email protected] for the time being
VDH is continuing to distribute drug test strips for fentanyl, xylazine, and benzodiazepines
Upcoming Events
April 18 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods VFR – 0900-1200
April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class 0800-1700
April 16 - the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will be held for all hospitals in the NVERS region. Limited play will also extend to public health and emergency management partners.
April 17 – Heart and Stroke WG meeting
April 17 – monthly MIH-CP stakeholder meeting @ 1400 hours. April's topic is Health Inequities. March was Digital Health. February was Affordable Housing. January was Maternal and Infant Health
April 18 – ITM Committee meeting
April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Committee Meetings – Flagship Committees, including Medical Review, Incident and Threat Mitigation, Guidelines and Training, Executive, and Strategic Planning and the various workgroups, will meet to create FY2025 Strategic milestones.
April 29 – Inova Health and NVEMS Council EMS Symposium - 0730-1715
May 2 – Safety Seat Check Site – Culpeper County – CVR 1000-1300
May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings andEMS Advisory Board meeting
May 9 – Safety Seat Check Site – Rappahannock County – Washington – (Co 1) 1100-1300
May 14 - EMS Safety Course
May 16 - AHA BLS Instructor
May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Expo
May 23 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods FR – 0900-1200
June 4 – REMS Regional EMS Awards - nominate with our quick form
June 6 – Safety Seat Check Site – Culpeper County – CVR 1000-1300
June 7-16 - VAVRS 2024 Rescue College
June 13 – Safety Seat Check Site – Rappahannock County – Sperryville Fire (Co 2) – 1100-1300
June 20 – NAEMT GEMS Course
June 20 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods FR – 0900-1200
June 24-25 AHA PALS Provider Course
September 18-22 First Responder Virginia 5 Conference / Expo
Virtual EMS Training Opportunities: Online CE training & Vector Solutions. Find in-person EMS training in your region. Search by region, county, level and/or course title
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
The Board of Pharmacy, at their March 28th meeting, agreed to change the Regulations Committee meeting on May 2 into a full Board meeting. If the proposed emergency regulations for EMS medication handling can be ironed out, there is the potential that this will be moved along to the next process on May 2. We continue to await the release of the final DEA regulatory language.
Past two weeks at the Council:
Fifteen teachers from Fredericksburg City Schools including elementary, middle, and high school received Train the Trainer instruction in presenting Stroke Smart material to their classes in on April 2nd. Additionally, Stroke Smart Spanish magnets and English magnets for every student in the school system were provided.
Staff continues to work on a video that will help clarify how EMS interactions with patients and families from different cultural and religious backgrounds on various topics such as death or a medical emergency can be optimized.
The Youth in Emergency Preparedness group met and were trained in Heartsaver CPR/AED. This completes a robust series of training in Emergency Preparedness, special populations, Stop the Bleed, REVIVE!, and ACES.
REMS has taken the proactive step of applying to become a registered partner with Buckle Up For Life, a nationally recognized safety program launched in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 2004. This registration marks the first step towards potential grant applications in the future.
The AV vendors spent an entire week at the REMS Council working to finalize the AV equipment for the Regional Training and Simulation Center. We're excited to offer improved features and capabilities to students and instructors moving forward.
REMS Supported Culpeper County Volunteer Rescue Squad in hosting their first Safety Seat Check Site. CCVRS will host sites on the first Thursday of the month from 10:00 – 13:00.
Staff attended the Regional PI and Educator Forum monthly meetings on 3/25 and 3/26 and the NEMSIS v3 Implementation meeting and group meeting for the NAEMSP Quality Improvement and Safety program on 3/27.
REMS instructor staff conducted pre-requisite testing for four candidates for AHA BLS Instructor class scheduled for May.
REMS Council supported a week-long EMR training program for an outside agency. The training included the use of the REMS Regional Training and Simulation Center, REMS equipment and interactive immersive room.
Staff attended several meetings including a VDH Training and Development PLC Monthly Meeting on YouTube applicability as a tool in Training, Marketing, Education, as a Repository. Topics discussed during the weekly VDH agency forum were a Title V/Maternal and Child Health stakeholder survey and the Virginia Permit Transparency Project. Staff also attended the Tableau study group on April 3 and participated in the Stroke Smart Community WG (part of VSSTF) and shared updates in the REMS Region.
REMS was able to bring together the VDH OEMS Epidemiology team and a representative from the GMU Duty Fit program to discuss potential collaborations aimed at identifying and addressing the health and wellness needs of first responders. Another meeting followed adding in DCJS representatives into the discussion evaluate opportunities for collaboration.
During Public Health Week, COPE took center stage in promoting "Self-Love and Mental Health" at The Table during a biweekly health and wellness event. Collaborating with community partners like the YMCA and the Lloyd Moss Clinic, COPE delivered a successful event providing valuable resources and emphasizing the importance of self-care. The Lloyd Moss Clinic offered essential glucose and blood pressure tests, while the YMCA provided participants with free visits to their facilities.
The Mission of the Virginia Department of Health is to protect the health and promote the well-being of all people in Virginia. The agency's vision statement is “Become the healthiest state in the nation.” Public Health Week was April 1- April 7, and the REMS Council would like to thank all of the EMS providers and agencies for their role in prevention, education, and improving population health. The 2024 Public Health Week had seven themes, which were recognized over five days.
During the University of Mary Washington Health and Wellness Fair, COPE engaged over 110 students in learning about stroke awareness. Through interactive sessions and informative discussions, students not only learned to recognize stroke signs but also became Stroke Smart Champions. Participants were incentivized with prizes, making the learning experience enjoyable and impactful.
The Protocol WG meeting was held on April 2. The WG welcomed one new member in addition to reviewing several draft protocols which will continue through the development process.
News You Can Use:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to an increase in invasive meningococcal disease, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. In 2023, 422 cases were reported in the United States, the highest annual number of cases reported since 2014. As of March 25, 2024, 143 cases have been reported to CDC for the current calendar year, an increase of 62 cases over the 81 reported as of this date in 2023.
The VDH HAI/AR Program's Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow is coming to a town near you this summer. The Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow offers a free, one-day training session for healthcare workers in all practice settings who educate others on infection prevention, even if it is not their full-time job. This training is focused on building your skills to educate healthcare workers on infection prevention and will be a hands-on learning and doing day. We have 8 sessions available now across Virginia in all regions and another with 2 will be added soon. Register online – seats will fill up!
Upcoming Events
April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
April 11 – Pharmacy WG meeting
April 11 – Safety Seat Check Site – Rappahannock County – Chester Gap (Co 9) 1100-1300
April 18 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods VFR – 0900-1200
April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class 0800-1700
April 16 - the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will be held for all hospitals in the NVERS region. Limited play will also extend to public health and emergency management partners.
April 17 – Heart and Stroke WG meeting
April 17 – monthly MIH-CP stakeholder meeting @ 1400 hours. April's topic is Health Inequities. March was Digital Health. February was Affordable Housing. January was Maternal and Infant Health
April 18 – ITM Committee meeting
April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Committee Meetings – Flagship Committees, including Medical Review, Incident and Threat Mitigation, Guidelines and Training, Executive, and Strategic Planning and the various workgroups, will meet to create FY2025 Strategic milestones.
April 29 – Inova Health and NVEMS Council EMS Symposium - 0730-1715
May 2 – Safety Seat Check Site – Culpeper County – CVR 1000-1300
May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings andEMS Advisory Board meeting
May 9 – Safety Seat Check Site – Rappahannock County – Washington – (Co 1) 1100-1300
May 14 - EMS Safety Course
May 16 - AHA BLS Instructor
May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Expo
May 23 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods FR – 0900-1200
June 4 – REMS Regional EMS Awards - nominate with our quick form
June 6 – Safety Seat Check Site – Culpeper County – CVR 1000-1300
June 7-16 - VAVRS 2024 Rescue College
June 13 – Safety Seat Check Site – Rappahannock County – Sperryville Fire (Co 2) – 1100-1300
June 20 – NAEMT GEMS Course
June 20 – Safety Seat Check Site – Orange County – Lake of the Woods FR – 0900-1200
June 24-25 AHA PALS Provider Course
September 18-22 First Responder Virginia 5 Conference / Expo
Virtual EMS Training Opportunities: Online CE training & Vector Solutions. Find in-person EMS training in your region. Search by region, county, level and/or course title
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
The Youth in Emergency Preparedness Program's high school participants underwent Stop the Bleed training administered by Stafford's CERT members, who also provided insights into the team's roles in the community. Additionally, the students engaged in a Zoom session with Catholic Charities staff to ask questions and receive insights on the needs and concerns of immigrants from Afghanistan and Ukraine. The area's immigrant population is one of the targeted groups that the students have selected for their emergency preparedness training and kit distribution.
There was a recent meeting of the Medication Kit Exchange workgroup. At that meeting, it was announced that the Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists would not support EMS performing one-for-one medication exchange after the final integration of the FDA DSCSA. It is likely that hospitals will NOT be able to accommodate one-for-one after November 2024, so agencies are encouraged to look beyond that intermediate step. The REMS Council is available for assistance and offers technical resources to help agencies understand the new requirements.
This week at the Council:
Thirty-one HOSA Students from King George High School participated in a site tour of the REMS Council training center in support of a work-based learning opportunity focused on communication and collaboration (C5W) and the professional competencies of efficiency and productivity and job-specific tools and technology, as defined and outlined in the 21st Century Workplace Readiness Skills of the Commonwealth. Students participated in immersive trauma, allergic reaction scenarios/simulations, and a mini Anatomage tournament.
REMS Council has partnered with and become a member of VIRGINIA PARTNERS FOR SAFE DRIVING. We are pleased to join them in their mission to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving, including distraction-free driving; sharing the road; fleet safety; vulnerable road users; and sober driving through various strategies to prevent crashes and injuries on Virginia roadways. This mission fits hand in glove with the new SSCS initiative in PD 9.
This week, the Stroke Smart in Schools workgroup reviewed advancements toward making the Fredericksburg School System more stroke-aware. Kevin introduced Don Upperco to the team, who subsequently engaged Matthew Terry, Director of Student Programming. Margaret Probst from NVEMS is scheduled to provide stroke awareness training for PE teachers and administrative staff on April 2nd.
REMS moderated another monthly stakeholder meeting related to community health and MIH. The March topic for the panel was digital health.
On March 19, COPE made significant contributions to two community events aimed at supporting the Fredericksburg Region. The first event was the Community Connections Expo organized by FAHASS, where over 200 visitors were welcomed in the first hour. The Expo provided attendees with access to essential resources and programs, including food pantry, health screenings, haircuts, clothing, and toiletries. COPE focused on promoting nutrition, distributing containers to support healthy eating habits and engaging with over 100 visitors. Simultaneously, at the regular event at The Table, COPE continued its advocacy for nutrition, emphasizing the importance of meal preparation and balanced diets. The COPE team of volunteers provided valuable information and resources to encourage attendees to make positive choices for their health.
Staff attended the Rappahannock Community College paramedic program Citizen's Advisory Committee meeting on March 19.
Staff from REMS and CSEMS met with ESO on 3/19 to troubleshoot a new technique for sharing reports across regional tenants. Testing will continue, but early indications suggest this method holds promise in streamlining efforts and reducing redundancy when replicating reports across regions for analyzing identical datasets.
REMS successfully concluded all 10 sessions of the Stafford County Airway Program on March 23rd. More than 100 ALS Providers attended the event and overwhelmingly positive feedback was provided. The new skills acquired in the Airway training are already proving valuable. Within just one week of attending one of the airway classes, a provider encountered a situation where he needed to intubate a challenging airway in an obese patient. He successfully applied the video laryngoscope skills and positioning techniques learned in class, achieving success on his first intubation attempt. The provider attributed his success to the recent training, which provided him with the confidence to handle the difficult airway effectively.
REMS is continuing to coordinate and prepare for the upcoming IBSC Approved Critical Care Review class for April. There are still a few spots available be sure to sign up soon.
REMS participated in a virtual meeting for the SimTac City Game, where a demonstration of the product was showcased. Emergency Managers from various localities, hospital EMS liaisons, and the Emergency Operations team at OEMS were briefed on the product and its potential applications and benefits for Emergency Management in our region.
REMS staff attended the individualized mentor meeting for the NAEMSP Quality Improvement and Safety program on 3/20, and the VDH Forum where there were presentations from the Piedmont Health District, the Office of Vital Records, and the Tuberculosis program.
The EMS Next Steps WG meeting that was planned for March 22 was cancelled, a new date has not yet been announced for the next meeting.
News You Can Use:
The Centers for Disease Control issued a Health Alert reporting an Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks.
The Federal Highway Administration has announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to update the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) regulations. These regulations address provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law" (BIL) and reflect current priorities and state-of-practice. The proposed changes would strengthen and advance the safety and equity priorities of the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) and help states make safety gains to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. Comments must be received on or before April 22, 2024.
The Rural EMS Quality Improvement Basics Course, from Stratis Health, introduces rural EMS providers to the concept of quality improvement (QI). The program, which was initially designed for the staff of healthcare organizations, has been modified to meet the needs of rural EMS by dividing the QI concept into three distinct levels that build upon each other. The Rural EMS Quality Improvement Basics Course links to the relevant portions of the original healthcare program, while also providing content and examples relevant to rural EMS providers.
Upcoming Events
March 28 - Virginia Board of Pharmacy meeting
April 1-7 - Public Health Week
April 2 – Protocol WG meeting
April 6 - PHI Air Medical/MWHC PACES Conference Registration is now open.
April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
April 11 – Pharmacy WG meeting
April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class 0800-1700
April 16 - the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will be held for all hospitals in the NVERS region. Limited play will also extend to public health and emergency management partners.
April 17 – Heart and Stroke WG meeting
April 18 – ITM Committee meeting
April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Meeting – Flagship Committee FY2025 Strategic Planning to include: Guidelines and Training/Medical Review /Strategic Planning/Executive/ITM Committees and Performance Improvement WG meeting
May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
May 14 - EMS Safety
May 16 - BLS Instructor
May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
June 4 – REMS Regional EMS Awards - nominate with our quick form
June 20 – GEMS
June 24-25 PALS Provider
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
REMS Council has been working with VDH’s Transportation Safety Supervisor, RCVFRA, CCVFRA, and LOWVFR to pioneer a novel approach to developing safety seat check sites in PD9. REMS will take on the administrative and reporting aspects of the sites and provide a technician to Rappahannock County, Orange County, and Culpeper County. The hosting agencies in turn are providing support with two volunteers to safely staff the site.
The first site was hosted in Rappahannock by Castleton VFR on March 14. Rappahannock County sites will be held 11 am -1 pm on the second Thursday of the month. Orange County site will be held at LOWVFR on the third Thursday of the month from 9:30 am -12:00 noon. Beginning in April, Culpeper County’s site will be held at CCVRS on the first Thursday of the month from 10 am-1 pm.
If you are interested in becoming a CPS Tech, REMS is hosting the region’s first hybrid class, beginning March 23rd. Unlike traditional classes, the in-person meeting requirement for the class is limited to April 26 and 27. Full schedule details and registration can be found here.
The Virginia Office of EMS has announced some restructuring as part of its ongoing engagement with Fitch and Associates.
This week at the Council:
REMS Council was pleased to host a showing of Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat. Agencies are encouraged to use this documentary as part of their recruitment efforts. REMS Council has a DVD copy of the movie that can be reserved for agencies in our area. Other options include streaming versions. If you would like to reserve the DVD for your agency or would like other assistance bringing it to your community, don't hesitate to get in touch with the staff.
The Cultural Diversity workgroup met and developed a timeline of actions identified to complete the process for the creation of the educational video about cultural diversity when dealing with the death of a patient.
The REMS Council is in discussions with UMW to host a communications intern from their Fredericksburg campus.
Staff from the REMS Council have started the process to become official interpreters for VDH.
Staff attended the regional medication kit transition workgroup meeting. As of March 11, the Virginia Society of Health Systems Pharmacists announced that hospitals will NOT be interested in and/or able to provide medications under one-for-one exchange after November 27, 2024. This means that EMS agencies will need to develop a process for obtaining and providing medications. The REMS Council is working to establish a vendor relationship where non-governmental agencies could potentially have cost savings on ordering. More to come on this as the process unfolds. Each agency is encouraged to move forward immediately with obtaining a CSR and completing the process for DEA inspection. The regional councils continue to offer technical support to any agency who needs assistance with the process for converting over to agency-supplied medications.
The Initial ODGA Datathon Team Meeting for VDH was held on March 14 to coordinate initial actions. REMS has been selected to be included on the VDH team which will develop a presentation of an innovative solution related to a TBD proposed challenge.
Staff attended Tableau training on March 12 focusing on transforming visualizations for easier interpretation of data and a webinar on March 14 on Interventional Neurology services which was hosted by LFEMS Council.
REMS has held a total of eight sessions for the Stafford County Airway Program in February and March. Over the next week, the county's remaining ALS providers will filter through the final two training sessions at REMS for airway competency training.
The final protocol test for an out-of-region ALS release was delivered and the testing was successful. Final paperwork is pending signature before being released. There are currently seven additional providers in the ALS Release process working on their precepting.
A Red Dot Skills session was provided to Stafford County volunteers on March 14.
The REMS Council supported the 2024 Shenandoah Valley EMS Expo providing both administrative support and providing an instructor for the event. The Expo offered 137 hours of CEU education across four days and had more than 135 EMS providers registered for the event.
OEMS has released the February 2024 data quality report.
News You Can Use:
There is a first responders Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Grant opportunity through SAMHSA.
The Office of EMS has released updated information on Return to Locality funding. If your jurisdiction has questions, please contact the REMS Council for updates and the latest information.
MWHC and PHI Aircare’s Annual PACES event is open for registration.
PHI AirCare is excited once again to invite EMS providers and students to participate in our SIM scenarios at REMS. Participants will provide patient reports to our flight crews and assist them throughout the scenario as requested. After the scenario, PHI’s SIM evaluators will debrief with our flight crews. During this time, our educator or third PHI SIM assistant will provide a post-debrief with participants in a separate area to answer questions. Providers holding a Virginia EMS Certification will receive Continuing Education (CE) credits for their participation. To sign up, call us at REMS (540-373-0249) there are multiple dates and times available – participants may sign up for more than one slot.
Upcoming Events
March 19 - STB Champion meeting 1500-1600
March 19 – King George HOSA student tour and scenario training 0930 - 1130
March 22 - Attributes of Leading - in-person @ TJEMS 1600-2000
March 22 - EMS Harm Reduction and SUD Treatment - online at 1400 hours.
March 23 - Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Training - in-person @ TJEMS 0900-1300
March 23 – Start of the hybrid CPST certification course. March 23 – April 27th.
Full schedule details and registration can be found here.
April 1-7 - Public Health Week
April 2 – Protocol WG meeting
April 6 - PHI Air Medical/MWHC PACES Conference Registration is now open.
April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
April 11 – Pharmacy WG meeting
April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class 0800-1700
On April 16, 2024, the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will be held for all hospitals in the NVERS region. Limited play will also extend to public health and emergency management partners.
April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Meeting – Flagship Committee FY2025 Strategic Planning
May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
May 14 - EMS Safety
May 16 - BLS Instructor
May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
June 4 – REMS Regional EMS Awards - nominate with our quick form
June 20 – GEMS
June 24-25 PALS Provider
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
PD16 is actively working on a Safe Street's for All Grant and Safety Action Plan with a strong emphasis on safety countermeasures and engineering input for infrastructure changes. Post-crash care is a key focus area that needs EMS input. Funding can be allocated for various safety measures such as traffic incident management courses, equipment for responders (vests, signs, vehicles), extrication tools, whole blood, and PHTLS training, etc. The SS4A Action Plan's public comment period will run until March 27, 2024. FAMPO will conduct a Public Hearing on March 18, 2024, during the Policy Committee meeting, allowing both in-person and remote participation.
To submit feedback on the draft Action Plan or for more information, individuals can fill out the survey, reach out to FAMPO via email at [email protected], phone (540) 642-1275, or visit the physical address at 406 Princess Anne St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
At the February 2 EMS Advisory Board Meeting, the request was made to have the regional EMS Councils develop a procedure for potential infectious disease exposures involving a patient who expired. At the February REMS BOD meeting, they endorsed the REMS Council moving forward with providing such assistance. REMS has created the necessary decedent blood testing account and received the equipment. The regional OMD has also reviewed our draft policy and approved it. Any agency or provider who runs into a situation where there is an exposure to decedent blood, or bodily fluids please contact the REMS Council for assistance. Anyone interested in learning more about the process and procedure, please reach out for additional information.
This week at the Council:
REMS held a total of six sessions for the Stafford County Airway Program on February 20th, 21st, 27th, and 29th, as well as March 4th and 6th. Over the next two weeks, the remaining county’s ALS providers will filter through four more training sessions at REMS for airway competency training.
REMS Staff completed NEMSIS training for State Data Managers and attended the NEMSIS EMS/Hospital Interoperability Task Force meeting.
Staff attended the individual meeting for the NAEMSP Year Long Quality Improvement and Safety program on March 7.
OEMS has published the February 2024 Data Quality Report. Please review the report and contact the REMS Council if you have any questions or need assistance in improving your scores.
One ALS Release packet for an Out of Region Intermediate provider was reviewed, and ALS Release paperwork for a Caroline Paramedic to start precepting was initiated. REMS is currently awaiting additional documentation from both individuals before the next steps can occur. There are currently six additional providers in the ALS Release process working on their precepting.
REMS Council is providing technical support to an agency currently developing a prehospital whole blood program.
The REMS Council participated in the Stafford County public schools Healthcare Symposium, providing a chance for students to get some hands-on experience with the Anatomage Table.
REMS Staff attended a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) training working towards the goal of providing expert technical assistance to EMS agencies working on MCI planning.
REMS staff participates in a weekly VDH Forum, where they share information about various programs and services in the Commonwealth. The primary focus of this week's discussion was digital accessibility. Please review the ADA National Network for information on the National ADA Symposium and online courses for ADA training.
REMS Council is building a partnership with UMW’s Communication and Digital Studies program, utilizing interns to enhance both our digital presence and the challenge of articulating our narrative.
REMS staff engaged in a virtual meeting with representatives from the Duty Fit program and OEMS. The purpose was to explore collaborative opportunities to address provider needs related to Health and Wellness. In addition, REMS staff met virtually with Duty Program representative and CSEMS Council staff to discuss provider Health and Wellness initiatives and explore opportunities for collaboration. Various mental health resources were among the topics discussed, including Stress First Aid and The Code Green Campaign. Stress First Aid classes can be taught by the REMS Council, please reach out if you have a need.
REMS staff attended Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training held at Stafford County.
The OEMS Legislative Report Grid for March 4 is available.
News You Can Use:
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in conjunction with NVERS and the Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program (VHEMP) is excited to announce the 2024 Community-Based Emergency Response Seminars (CBERS). CBERS is an annual training and exercise session designed around a specific topic for community partners.
There are two sessions available. Click on the links below to register:
Emergency Response Rulemaking. The Emergency Response proposed rule is here! OSHA is happy to announce that the Emergency Response proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register and is now available for viewing. OSHA welcomes and encourages the submission of public comments in response to this proposed rule. The comment period ends on May 6, 2024. Comments can be submitted to the Emergency Response Docket at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2007-0073. Additional information on OSHA's rulemaking process and how stakeholders can participate is available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/rulemakingprocess.
Upcoming Events
- March 13 - Special Movie Night "Odd Hat"1830-2030 at REMS – RSVP here
- March 19 - STB Champion meeting 1500-1600
- March 22 - Attributes of Leading- in-person @ TJEMS 1600-2000
- March 23 - Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Training- in-person @ TJEMS 0900-1300
- March 23 – Start of the hybrid CPST certification course. March 23 – April 27th. Full schedule details and registration can be found here.
- April 6 - PHI Air Medical/MWHC PACES Conference Registration is now open.
- April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
- April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class0800-1700
- On April 16, 2024, the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will be held for all hospitals in the NVERS region. Limited play will also extend to public health and emergency management partners.
- April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Meeting– Flagship Committee FY2025 Strategic Planning
- May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
- May 14 - EMS Safety
- May 16 - BLS Instructor
- May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
- June 4– REMS Regional EMS Awards - nominate with our quick form
- June 20 – GEMS
- June 24-25 PALS Provider
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
The REMS Council organized the final elective class at St. Patrick's Middle School. Mr. Don W. Willis, PEM, MEP Emergency Management Coordinator for Spotsylvania County, was honored with a challenge coin for his collaboration and community education efforts. Students were awarded participation certificates and REMS swag. Mrs. Corvetti, the coordinating teacher at St. Patrick's School, also received recognition for her contributions.
The January 2024 OEMS Data Quality report has been posted and is now available for review. The report can be found under the Regulation and Compliance, Enforcement site using the link here. As a reminder, the repository is now accepting NEMSIS 3.5 data. Virginia has published all items on the NEMSIS website EMS software vendors should need. OEMS realizes agencies will need time to adapt to changes within their individual software systems with this change. While 3.5 data quality scores are included for reference so that Vendors can review their system and address issues, 3.5 data quality standards for EMS agencies are currently on hold during the 3.4 to 3.5 transition period. For any questions on the published reports or this email, please contact OEMS support at: [email protected].
This week at the Council:
REMS held a total of four sessions for the Stafford County Airway Program on February 20th, 21st, 27th, and 29th. Over the next six weeks all of the county’s ALS providers will filter through twelve training sessions at REMS for airway competency training.
The protocol testing and final release documents for one FRS Paramedic was conducted this week. There are currently seven additional providers in the ALS Release process.
REMS staff coordinated meetings to facilitate discussions between GMU Duty Fit Program and representatives from Central Shenandoah and Western EMS Councils as well as ODEMSA and OEMS. The aim is to explore collaboration opportunities to support mental health and wellness initiatives for Virginia's first responders.
The Med Hawk Healers, a high school team from Brooke Point High School, spent two afternoons at the Council practicing on the Anatomage Table in advance of the March HOSA tournament in Virginia Beach.
The Youth Emergency Preparedness group received training from RAHD focusing on vulnerable populations. Prompted by a segment from "Children of the Tsunami, " students engaged in an eye-opening activity, considering disasters from various perspectives. Students then prioritized groups to support which will include: Mary’s Shelter, Spotsylvania Farmer’s Market, a King George County nursing home, and Catholic Charities, with plans for presentations and outreach.
Following VDH and OEMS training requirements, REMS staff completed Emergency Managers Basic Academy training include IS-120 and IS-130.
REMS staff participated in the Regional PI forum on February 27, NEMSIS v3 Implementation Call on February 28, Regional Educator forum on February 28, and NAEMSP Year Long Quality Improvement and Safety program on February 28.
Additionally, staff also attended VDH Training and Development PLC Monthly Meeting in which the benefits of using REDCap as a survey tool were discussed. During this meeting REMS joined a team of 6 participants to represent VDH on the ODGA - Datathon starting April 12 and concluding on April 19 with presentations of innovative solutions related to the proposed challenge.
REMS participated in a Census Bureau webinar on Community Resilience Estimates (CRE). Originally designed as a pilot program to assess the impact of COVID-19 on socially vulnerable populations, this tool now offers valuable data for guiding community-based prevention and education programs in our region. Emergency Planners, Local Health Departments, and County and Regional Strategic Planning can benefit from comparing local data with national averages on resiliency factors, identifying specific barriers to resilience, and informing strategic planning.
Please find more information about the CRE here. Additional tools, including a CRE Interactive tool and CRE Datasets along with their methodology are available. An Evaluation of Social Vulnerability and Community Resilience Indices and Opportunities for Improvement through Community Resilience Estimates is also available for review here.
Upcoming Events
- March 13 - Special Movie Night "Odd Hat"1830-2030 at REMS – please RSVP here
- March 19 - STB Champion meeting 1500-1600
- March 22 - Attributes of Leading- in-person @ TJEMS 1600-2000
- March 23 - Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Training- in-person @ TJEMS 0900-1300
- March 23 – Start of the hybrid CPST certification course. March 23 – April 27th. Full schedule details and registration can be found here.
- April 6 - PHI Air Medical/MWHC PACES Conference
- April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
- April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class0800-1700
- April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Meeting – Flagship Committee FY2025 Strategic Planning
- May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
- May 14 - EMS Safety
- May 16 - BLS Instructor
- May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
- June 20 – GEMS
- June 24-25 PALS Provider
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call.
Just a reminder that nominations are needed for the following positions with the Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force. Feel free to nominate yourself or someone else. Deadline is March 15th
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Co-Chair |
EMS Representative |
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Eastern Region Neurologist |
Northwestern Region Neurologist |
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Southwest Region Neurologist |
Primary Care Physician |
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Media Representative |
Legislator or Aide |
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
The first two sessions for the Stafford County Airway Program were held on February 20th and 21st. Over the next six weeks, all of the county’s ALS providers will filter through twelve training sessions at REMS for airway competency training.
The EMS Next Steps WG met on Friday and had a healthy discussion surrounding current issues and financial updates from OEMS. OEMS has, in the past, funded a state-level EMS recognition program at the annual EMS Symposium as the next step after the regional awards are decided at the local level. OEMS announced this week that they will no longer be able to financially support this program moving forward. The 2023 state-level award winners will be recognized at the May 2024 EMS Advisory Board meeting in Richmond. To continue the awards program moving forward, it will require financial sponsorship and additional support. The EMS Council's RDG will be meeting soon to discuss options for moving forward. In addition, the annual EMS symposium was cancelled in 2023 due to financial constraints. The Inova Health System has offered funding to support a state-wide conference and the Western Virginia EMS Council has been asked to work with IHS to clarify the details and work on planning the event. We'll let you know the details as soon as they are available.
Also, at the EMS Next Steps WG meeting, the Chair established two new groups. One group will handle the upcoming November 2024 deadline for compliance with the FDA DSCSA, which seems likely to eliminate the regional medication kit exchange and, at least, require everyone to transition to a one-for-one system. The other will discuss the role of EMS Councils moving forward. Minutes from the last meeting, January 26, are available here and the next meeting will be in March.
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EMS Next Steps Workgroup 012624 meeting minutes APPROVED.pdf
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The REMS Council will be hosting two graduate-level health informatics interns for a 6-week paid internship starting in May. They will be working on projects related to PI plans and also creating data visualization tools for the Rappahannock Area Health District.
The Office of EMS has completed a review of the triage tag requirements that are included as part of the vehicle permitting process. The following was approved by the Virginia EMS Advisory Board on February 2, 2024: Licensed EMS agencies must utilize either electronic or printed systems to track patients in mass casualties and other large events such as evacuation, sheltering, etc. Agencies must have redundancy built into their chosen process, in case of system failure. Agencies must also ensure the chosen system allows for appropriate patient transfer documentation at the receiving facility. OEMS also provided a recommended minimum dataset list. Please contact the REMS Council for the recommended fields that should be included in/on your tags.
Past week at the Council:
At the February 21st meeting, the Board of Directors approved several action items:
o To discontinue the scholarship funding for in-region providers to attend classes at REMS for a discounted price due to the current OEMS financial hardships. Moving forward, REMS providers will pay the same cost as non-REMS providers for all of our classes. This decision was not made lightly and we have set the pricing as low as we can in order to cover required textbooks, equipment, and other admin fees. The costs are comparable to other Training Centers throughout the state, and will be effective April 1st. We will reevaluate this program in the next budget cycle to determine if any additional changes are needed.
o To remove the meeting time from the Guidelines and Training charter so that the time can be set by the Chairperson.
o The REMS Council 2023 annual report, and the purchase of an Ultrasound to enhance training at the REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation Center. Be on the lookout for upcoming training with this new tool.
REMS Staff collaborated with Spotsylvania Emergency Management for an emergency preparedness session at St. Patrick's Middle School. Spotsylvania Station 5, along with a fire marshal, showcased a fire engine and medic unit in action during a simulated call, sparking enthusiasm among students for potential careers in emergency response.
REMS participated in the HHS/ASPR Project ECHO Clinical Readiness Rounds, focusing on the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for effective disaster preparedness. Discussions emphasized the integration of technological solutions to enhance coordination in medical transport, hospital assignments, and the reunification process at local, regional, and national levels. This aligns with one of the ECHO projects related to a grant REMS is considering. The full article can be found here.
REMS staff was invited to attend the monthly Culpeper County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association meeting to discuss the opportunity to bring a safety seat station to the county. Company 11 enthusiastically offered to host the site. This agreement will establish the safety seat sites at three of the four counties in PD9. The first site will be held in Rappahannock County at Castleton Community VFC on March 14th.
REMS Council will be hosting a hybrid CPST certification course. The hybrid course will begin with online sessions on March 23 and will conclude with in-person sessions at the REMS Council location on April 26 and 27th. Full schedule details and registration can be found here.
REMS initiated contact with Regional EMS Councils across the state and VDH-OEMS representatives to lay the foundation to garner participation for the Duty Fit Collaboration project. This project aims to establish a statewide platform, ensuring that first responders have access to mental health and wellness resources specifically tailored to meet their unique needs, all subject to thorough review.
REMS Staff facilitated the monthly COPE/MIH forum on the topic of affordable housing.
REMS Staff met with an agency on February 22 to provide technical assistance regarding the upcoming pharmacy changes in November, and to schedule several training opportunities.
Staff continues to participate in the NAEMSP Year Long Quality Improvement and Safety program.
Staff attended a webinar on Defusing H-Bombs: Preventing Secondary Injury in Traumatic Brain Injury on February 20th.
Other news:
The Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force is seeking nominations. Please visit this link to nominate yourself or someone that you feel would be qualified to serve in this role.
- Co-Chair
- EMS Representative
- Northwestern Region Neurologist
- Southwest Region Neurologist
- Primary Care Physician
- Legislator or Aide
- Media Representative
All Voting Members serve a two-year term, are selected by the VSSTF co-chairs and may be reappointed for additional two-year terms. Nominations close March 14th.
Upcoming Events:
- February 26 - TJEMS Council VILT training on Pediatric Cardiology (come to REMS or attend virtually) 1900-2100 To attend at REMS, RSVP here.
- March 9 - Carmel Church Fire Station 10 Grand Opening (Caroline County) 1000
- March 13 - Special Movie Night "Odd Hours No Pay Cool Hat"1830-2030 at REMS – please RSVP here
- March 19 - STB Champion meeting 1500-1600
- March 22 - Attributes of Leading- in-person @ TJEMS 1600-2000
- March 23 - Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Training- in-person @ TJEMS 0900-1300
- April 6 - PHI Air Medical/MWHC PACES Conference
- April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
- April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class0800-1700
- April 23 – 0900-1400 All Hands Meeting – Flagship Committee FY2025 Strategic Planning
- May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
- May 14 - EMS Safety
- May 16 - BLS Instructor
- May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
- June 20 – GEMS
- June 24-25 - PALS Provider
Nominations are now open for our Regional EMS Awards. You may use the REMS quick form to get started. New this year: staff assistance in award narratives/photos if needed AND two new Regional categories for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding EMS Call (criteria for both will be posted soon).
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.
New and Noteworthy:
High school students from ten teams across the state, including those from Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Prince William County, participated in the inaugural REMS Anatomage Tournament held on February 7th. The Nervous Ninjas, a team from Colonial Forge High School, emerged as the champions in this regional qualifier. Throughout the fall semester, REMS has been providing instructional table time during and after school to support local teams. The impressive results of the students' hard work were evident, earning the Nervous Ninjas an invitation to compete in the National Anatomage tournament in Las Vegas in June. The Ninjas are very interested in attending the Nevada finals, but it comes with a logistic and financial burden. Please contact the REMS Council if you are interested in helping to support this opportunity.
Local coverage of the tournament is here:
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Stafford 'Ninjas' earn top prize in first local Anatomage tournament fredericksburg.com |
Past two weeks at the Council:
REMS Performance Improvement Specialist developed and held the TTT session for the Stafford County Airway Program. Over the next six weeks, all of the county’s ALS providers will filter through twelve training sessions at REMS for airway competency training.
The REMS Council has been approved to host two Graduate-level interns from Norfolk State University who are studying healthcare informatics. The interns will be at REMS in May and June working on various data projects and we're excited to have them join us!
ALS Release WG met on Feb 8 to discuss multiple revisions to the ALS Release Handbook. Edits are now in progress, then will be forwarded to Guidelines and Training Committee for review before progressing to the BOD.
An ACLS review course was held at the Council for four regional providers, all of whom received scholarship funds to attend the class without agency or provider charge.
REMS staff, in collaboration with UMW, provided training to 47 graduating teachers covering essential skills such as first aid, CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed. Additionally Stroke Education for implementation in schools was presented, including the distribution of stroke education curriculum and materials tailored for students across elementary, middle, and high school levels.
REMS continues to meet with various workgroups and stakeholders to iron out the details of the upcoming enforcement of the FDA regarding the DSCSA, which will likely reduce, if not eliminate, the hospital pharmacy ability to provide medications to the EMS system and support the regional medication exchange box program as of November 27, 2024. The regional REMS pharmacy WG has been working on this topic for the last year and staff at REMS remain available to provide technical support to any agency in need.
COPE recently attended two events: the Internship Expo organized by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and The Table. At the Internship Expo, COPE engaged with students eager to learn about opportunities to make a difference in their communities, sharing information about its current initiative, You Are The Help Until Help Arrives. Meanwhile, at The Table, COPE focused on promoting oral hygiene and distributing vital information about dental care alongside toothpaste and brushes. The organization was joined by its Community Partners, Lloyd Moss Clinic, and NAMI.
Youth Emergency Preparedness students underwent an ACES training led by our partners at RACSB. They delved into the 1990 ACES study, acquired practical resilience-building tips, participated in the Brain Game, and explored ways to incorporate this knowledge into their upcoming community outreach programs. In their regular Wednesday meeting, students applied the cognitive and hands on skills learned from the earlier REVIVE! training by RACSB in a training scenario. Additionally, the group examined FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness, discussing strategies to leverage the survey data for their planned outreach efforts.
Additional youth training was provided in collaboration with Spotsylvania Emergency Management in Emergency Preparedness to middle school students at St. Patrick School.
REMS visited Boulder Crest site in Bluemont, Virginia, as part of the goal to identify mental health resources for first responders. Orange County and Caroline County representatives attended for regional collaboration. Boulder Crest offers nationwide peer support services for first responders and veterans.
- Warrior PATHH is a 90-day, non-pharmacological peer-delivered training for veterans, starting with a 7-day initiation in Bluemont.
- Struggle Well Experience and Struggle Well programs for first responders are provided locally for 1, 2, or 5-day sessions, followed by 3 months of dedicated support and training.
- Veterans can request a stay at Bluemont cabins with their families during challenging times for reconnection.
A new working partnership was established with Morgan Moore, a graduate Master of Social Work Student interning at Sunstone Counseling. Moore is involved in the Duty Fit platform program, part of an initiative from George Mason University and funded by the National Science Foundation’s Research Traineeship Program (NRT)|Team FIRE | Duty Fit LLC. The Duty Fit platform employs technology solutions to identify resources for first responders in Virginia, enhancing their access to tools for improved health and wellness outcomes.
REMS met with a Priority Dispatch representative to learn more about the required training that ECC and PSAPs are using to better address mental health-related calls.
Staff meet with HEAL Program representatives to explore collaboration opportunities addressing language and literacy barriers faced by pre-hospital providers serving community members with English as a second language or limited medical comprehension.
REMS staff attended weekly VDH forums, Overtime Trap webinar (resources for financial health for first responders), Regional Medication Kit Transition WG meeting, VSSTF EMS Destination WG meeting, and the two-day NEMSAC meeting, and the Germanna Community College Health Science and EMS advisory board meetings on February 8. REMS Staff also attended various state committee meetings in early February, as well as the EMS Advisory Board meeting. Here is a link to the OEMS Quarterly Report which provides extensive updates and information.
Outside the Council News:
The US Department of Health and Human Services has released a new document describing goals to enhance cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.
OEMS has updated the Virginia EMS Portal. Here is a link in case you encounter any issues or need to report a problem. Additional changes from Richmond include new written updates on various projects and events at the central office. Here is their first update, released February 14.
OEMS has received calls indicating there is confusion about how to report the required data when there were no calls during the reporting period. Guidance document is available here.
The Central Office of EMS in Richmond has advised that they will be returning to work full time from the office on Tuesday February 20. VDH is also working to upgrade infrastructure and improve internet access at OEMS.
It is General Assembly time and there is plenty of activity. Please review information on current bills and actions that may be of interest.
Upcoming Events:
- February 19 - Management of Burns(ODEMSA / VCU)
- February 21 – COPE Community PartnerZoom Meeting – Affordable Housing
- February 21 – REMS Board of Directormeeting at Richardsville VFR
- February 22 - 2024 Virginia Patient Safety Summit(virtual) 0930-1545
- February 22 - ADA National Network learning session "Service Animals in Healthcare Facilities" (virtual) 1430-1530
- February 26 - TJEMS Council VILT training on Pediatric Cardiology (come to REMS or attend virtually) 1900-2100
- March 9 - Carmel Church Fire Station 10 Grand Opening (Caroline County) 1000
- March 13 - Special Movie Night "Odd Hours No Pay Cool Hat"1830-2030 at REMS
- March 19 - STB Champion meeting 1500-1600
- March 22 - Attributes of Leading- in-person @ TJEMS 1600-2000
- March 23 - Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Training- in-person @ TJEMS 0900-1300
- April 10 - Virginia State Board of Health Meeting
- April 15-18 – REMS IBSC Critical Care Review Class0800-1700
- May 2-3 – State Committee Meetings and EMS Advisory Board meeting
- May 14-19 – Tidewater EMS Council 2024 Healthcare Expo
The REMS Council Board of Directors consists of representation from volunteer and career agencies in our planning districts and localities, as well as at large membership. More information on the makeup and backgrounds of REMS Council Staff and BOD may be found here.
The REMS Council Regional Training and Simulation schedule is filling up for 2024. If you would like to use the training center or some equipment, please submit the request through our website sooner rather than later.