The Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) recently hosted the 40th Annual Virginia EMS Symposium in Norfolk, Va. The largest EMS training event in the state, and one of the largest in the country, welcomed more than 1,700 registered attendees. The symposium offered 13 course tracks and more than 400 courses, covering everything from hands-on training in trauma, medical and cardiac care to education for pediatrics, operations, and health and safety.
Approximately 23,462 hours of continuing education (CE) credits were issued to EMS providers attending the symposium. New this year, the symposium offered three general sessions, which featured hot topics and renowned educators, along with veteran, celebrity and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez. This event also featured two exhibit halls with more vendor space than ever before! The “VA EMS Symposium” mobile app for Apple and Android devices was also available for download. It included class schedules, course evaluations, important updates, on-site event information and more.
The symposium had something for everyone, including a two-day youth and teen rescue camp for children ages 8 – 17. These rescue camps taught basic lifesaving skills, CPR, water rescue, personal safety, wilderness search and rescue and more. On Saturday, Nov. 9, we recognized excellence in EMS at the Governor’s EMS Awards ceremony and banquet, which featured Keynote Speaker Randolph Mantooth from the television show “Emergency!” View the 2019 Governor’s EMS Award winners here.
Many thanks to the entire OEMS staff whose assistance and dedication make the symposium a continued success. This remarkable training event wouldn’t be possible without all of our devoted committee members, volunteers, organizational partners, sponsors and attendees! We appreciate everything you do to help us bring this training event to the Commonwealth year after year. Thanks also to the city of Norfolk for hosting us! We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event.
Save the date for the 41st Annual Virginia EMS Symposium – Nov. 11- 15, 2020.
The 2020 Virginia EMS Symposium Call for Presentations is OPEN! – Submit a presentation here.