Click here to see the video that was shown at the ceremony.
Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services Council (REMS) and Thomas Jefferson Emergency Medical Services (TJEMS) Councils will unite under Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS) to Strengthen Regional EMS and Emergency Response. In anticipation of the merger, the current REMS Council BOD and special guests gathered for a celebration to honor the nearly 50 years of service to the region.
The leaders gathered at Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania on November 19 to celebrate the legacy of the Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services (REMS) Council while looking ahead to an exciting new chapter in emergency response coordination across Virginia.
The celebration recognized outgoing Board of Directors members, volunteers, and staff who have dedicated themselves to supporting EMS providers and public safety across the region for nearly five decades.
"This merger represents the natural evolution of our commitment to EMS providers and the communities they serve," said Kevin Dillard, MBA, President of the REMS Board of Directors since 1996. "By uniting the strengths of REMS, TJEMS, and NVERS, we are creating a more resilient, coordinated system that will enhance training, resources, and advocacy for EMS professionals across our region. Our nearly 50 years of service to Virginia communities has prepared us for this next chapter, and I'm confident this unified approach will deliver even greater support to the providers who serve on the front lines every day."
Beginning January 1, 2026, REMS and TJEMS will consolidate into the Rivanna-Rappahannock EMS Council (Region 5), operating as a subsidiary of NVERS. This structure preserves local identity and community connections while providing expanded capabilities through NVERS' governance, infrastructure, and statewide reach.
The merger delivers clear benefits to EMS providers and communities:
Seamless Coordination: Unified planning and governance reduces duplication and ensures consistent programming across jurisdictions, improving response times and operational efficiency.
Enhanced Training & Education: The combined organization leverages established EMS training programs with regional symposiums and specialized courses, expanding education opportunities for providers at all levels.
Resource & Equipment Sustainability: Pooled logistics and purchasing power improves access to critical supplies, equipment, and emerging technologies, ensuring EMS agencies have the tools they need.
Strengthened Advocacy: A larger, unified organization amplifies EMS voices in regional and state decision-making, ensuring operational needs are represented in policy and planning discussions.
The merger affects EMS services across Nelson, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Greene, Orange, Caroline, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Fauquier, Stafford, and King George counties.
