Last Updated: May 24, 2025
During EMS Week, staff from the Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) had the privilege of attending special events celebrating the heroes who make up Virginia’s EMS System.
OEMS Director Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat delivered inspirational remarks at the Virginia Association of First Responders formerly Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS), reflecting on the evolving role of EMS in Virginia and across the nation. She commended the dedication, compassion and resilience that define Virginia’s EMS providers, especially those who volunteer in service to their communities.
You’re not just keeping up with change – you’re driving it. You’re showing what it means to lead with integrity, serve with humility and care without condition, said Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD, NRP.
The rebranding of VAVRS to the Virginia Association of First Responders (VAFR) highlights a powerful shift that honors the legacy of volunteerism and embraces a broader, more inclusive future for Virginia’s EMS System.
Continuing the weeklong celebration, Dr. Beermann-Foat also attended an uplifting EMS Week event hosted by Central Shenandoah EMS (CSEMS) Council – an ice-cream social that brought together EMS providers and the community for a time of reflection and fellowship.
Attendees participated in a group viewing and discussion of the documentary “Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis,” which facilitated meaningful conversations regarding the current challenges in the EMS profession. This special event also featured a visit from Staunton’s very own Spider-Man, who recently completed an EMS class in the CSEMS region.
As EMS Week comes to a close, we thank all EMS providers for their unwavering commitment to deliver compassionate care to our communities. The work you do matters; it’s inspiring, uplifting and life changing. And it’s because of you that we’re shaping a stronger, more resilient future for EMS in Virginia.
EMS Week in Virginia is May 18-24, 2025. EMS for Children Day, May 21, focuses on the pediatric patient and the specialized care required when providing treatment to them.
EMS Week recognizes the dedication of 39,964 EMS providers and 548 agencies in Virginia. Last year, EMS providers responded to 1.74 million calls for help in Virginia, which represents approximately 4,754 incidents per day.
Learn more about EMS Week in Virginia: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/ems-week-2025/.