It’s EMS Week in Virginia, 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: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/ems-week-2025/.
When I stepped into the role of Director of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) three months ago, I knew I was joining a community of deeply committed professionals. But what I could not have fully anticipated was how inspiring, honest, and energizing these first 100 days would be.
It has been a period of listening, learning, and laying the groundwork for the long-term work ahead: restoring trust, building partnerships, and strengthening our EMS system for the future.
Listening First, and Listening Often
From day one, I made it a priority to hear directly from the people who power this system—EMS providers, agency leaders, regional council partners, and community stakeholders. Since mid-February, I had the chance to complete 24 site visits across five of Virginia’s eleven Regional EMS Councils: Rappahannock EMS Council, Tidewater EMS Council, Southwest Virginia EMS Council, Central Shenandoah EMS Council, and Western Virginia EMS Council. I plan to visit the remaining six regions in the months ahead.
Each of these visits has been packed with insight and heart. I’ve toured rescue squads, fire departments, and hospitals. I’ve attended board meetings, award ceremonies, and community events. I’ve met the dedicated providers who are the backbone of our system—and I’ve listened closely to their challenges, ideas, and hopes.
During my tour at Rappahannock EMS Council area – I had the privilege of speaking with administrators from a new health sciences college program. I also attended the Anatomage Tournament, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS) Board of Governors meeting, a BLS competition, and the VAVRS District 1 gathering in Stuarts Draft. I was honored to be a guest speaker at award ceremonies hosted by the Forest View Rescue Squad and Virginia Beach EMS.
These visits have been more than symbolic. They are shaping how I lead. They have helped me understand what unites us across metro, suburban, and rural areas and where the system needs to adapt to meet local needs.
At my first State EMS Advisory Board meeting in February, we were strangers. Today, I feel we are truly colleagues and partners in progress.
Learning From Within and Strengthening Alignment
Internally, I’ve spent time getting to know our OEMS team—meeting one-on-one with staff to learn about their work, hear their concerns, and explore where we can be more efficient, responsive, and accountable. I am grateful to the OEMS leadership team for helping identify opportunities to modernize our operations and support our staff more effectively.
Externally, I began building stronger bridges with key partners. I’ve met with:
We are coordinating upcoming meetings with additional regional associations and leaders who share our mission.
I’ve also been in active discussions with leadership at the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, and the Department of Fire Programs. These conversations are opening the door to greater coordination and shared strategies around how EMS and fire services deliver care and resources to the people of Virginia.
Clarifying Priorities: A Path Forward
One of the most important things we have done in these first 100 days is to define a clear set of priorities that will guide how we serve the Commonwealth moving forward. My leadership approach is grounded in agility, transparency, and alignment. These are the values we need in a system that must be both responsive and resilient.
Here are the four strategic priorities shaping our path:
Bringing OEMS Into Alignment with a Broader Vision
Another area of focus during this transition has been aligning OEMS systems with broader VDH operations. This kind of integration is essential, it promotes consistency, reduces redundancy, and makes better use of our shared infrastructure. It’s one way we build a system that not only works—but works better together.
We’ve also posted a full OEMS update presentation on our website, consisting of a PowerPoint and webinar video from April 29, 2025.
I encourage you to take a look – it’s one step in our broader effort to keep you informed and engaged in where we are headed.
Gratitude, Momentum, and What Comes Next
This is just the beginning. The first 100 days were about building relationships, identifying our strengths, and creating space for honest conversations about what needs to change.
I want to thank every provider, leader, stakeholder, and system partner who has taken time to speak with me, invite me into your work, and offer your support.
Your commitment to this profession and your communities is what makes Virginia’s EMS system so special.
Together, we are rebuilding trust, restoring purpose, and reimagining what EMS in Virginia can be.
I’m proud to walk this path with you—and I’m more optimistic than ever about the future we are building.
With appreciation,
Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD, NRP
Director, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
Leaders from both Public Safety and Public Health, including Virginia’s Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Virginia Department of Fire Programs, as well as leadership from the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, the Virginia State Firefighters Association, the State Board of Health and the State EMS Advisory Board, came together yesterday to discuss EMS and Fire Services in the Commonwealth.
Public Health and Public Safety are wound together in the delivery of EMS, and the group spent the afternoon discussing a path forward to improve care delivery and resource availability to citizens. Actions from this group include a commitment to improved working relationships and broadened communication amongst leadership at the state level in EMS and Fire Services.
Featured in Group Photo from Left to Right:
Nick Nanna, Deputy Director, Virginia Department of Fire Programs
Gary Critzer, Chair, State Board of Health
Sonny Daniels, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Leah Mills, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Stephanie Dunkel, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health and Preparedness, Virginia Department of Health
Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD, Director, Virginia Office of EMS
Karen Shelton, MD, State Health Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health
Lanette Walker, Deputy Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Health and Human Resources
Brian Frankel, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association representative to the State EMS Advisory Board
Janet Kelly, Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Christian Eudailey, Executive Director, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association
Walt Bailey, President, Virginia State Firefighters Association and Member, Virginia Fire Services Board and State EMS Advisory Board
Christopher Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Department of Health
Kevin Dillard, Chair, State EMS Advisory Board
J.C. Bolling, Vice-Chair, State EMS Advisory Board
During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 13-19, 2025, we recognize and honor the telecommunications personnel who serve their communities by answering 911 calls, non-emergency calls, dispatching units and assisting a caller until help arrives.
Emergency Telecommunicators serve as the first, first responder. This week-long event, initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public.
The Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) maintains an accreditation program for 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and emergency dispatch centers. This is to promote the implementation of emergency medical dispatch (EMD) protocols and continued training and education in this area.
Additional Resources:
First Responder Wellness Week (FRWW) is dedicated to providing resources and support to help first responders better understand the mental and physical health risks that come with the job, while also promoting the mental, physical and emotional well-being of first responders.
During this special week, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is offering a special FRWW webinar series. There are also more resources and information, available at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/first-responder-wellness-week/.
