Beginning in the 2026 calendar year, please reference the new awards guidance as approved by the State EMS Advisory Board.
If your region conducted a Regional EMS Awards program in early 2025, prior to the announcement of the revised categories, you may submit nominations from those programs for the Governor’s EMS Awards only in the new categories as described below. All regions may submit new 2025 Governor’s EMS Award nominations for the 2025 awards cycle by February 1, 2026.
Effective immediately, the total number of Governor’s EMS Awards will be reduced from 12 to eight categories. These eight award categories are as follows.
Award Categories:
- Excellence in Emergency Medical Services
- Outstanding EMS Prehospital Provider
- Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS
- Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator
- Outstanding EMS Agency
- Outstanding EMS Leadership
- Outstanding EMS Telecommunicator
- Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children
Other award categories that are not Governor’s EMS Awards:
- EMS Scholarship
- Lifetime Achievement in EMS
Award Criteria and Eligibility:
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
CRITERIA: An individual who exemplifies outstanding dedication and service to the statewide Virginia emergency medical services system, and has demonstrated a commitment to a comprehensive, integrated system of emergency medical services throughout the Commonwealth.
ELIGIBILITY: Any living individual, in good standing, engaged in emergency medical services within the Commonwealth of Virginia, with significant contributions at the local, regional, state and national level. Individuals should maintain a current Virginia EMS certification (where applicable) and have no outstanding or pending notices of enforcement actions taken against them.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PREHOSPITAL PROVIDER
CRITERIA: An individual who exemplifies outstanding dedication and service to their community through involvement with EMS. An individual that serves a mentor in growth and development of the EMS field.
ELIGIBILITY: Any individual who routinely provides prehospital care, primarily in Virginia, is affiliated with at least one Virginia licensed EMS agency and who is certified as a prehospital EMS provider by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR PHYSICIAN WITH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EMS
CRITERIA: A Virginia licensed physician who exemplifies outstanding leadership and dedication in prehospital care.
ELIGIBILTY: A Virginia licensed physician who is involved with prehospital care, training or mentorship of prehospital providers in the Commonwealth. This can include emergency room physicians, operational medical directors, or other physicians who dedicate their time and knowledge to furthering education and patient care in EMS.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING EMS PREHOSPITAL EDUCATOR
Criteria: An individual who exemplifies outstanding teaching and leadership qualities while participating as an educator in an EMS program. Must have coordinated or consistently demonstrated excellence and a dedication to the education of prehospital EMS providers. The nominee must have participated as an instructor, coordinator or adjunct faculty in an EMS program for at least two years. Educational programs include: First Responder, EMT-B, EMT Enhanced, EMT Intermediate, EMT Paramedic, continuing education courses, preceptor programs or equivalent EMS training.
ELIGIBILITY: A physician, nurse, healthcare provider or certified Virginia EMS educator.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD TO THE OUTSTANDING EMS LEADERSHIP
CRITERIA: An individual who has demonstrated ability to organize, conduct, manage, problem solve and evaluate within their organization and, by exemplary leadership and administrative skills, improve the effectiveness, response and delivery of EMS.
ELIGIBILITY: Any person responsible for chairing, presiding over, supervising or administering EMS organizations and/or personnel in Virginia.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD TO THE OUTSTANDING EMS AGENCY
CRITERIA: An EMS agency that exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to its community; whose high level of patient care is evident by innovative training, community awareness, preventative health programs, public relations efforts and participation in local, regional, state and national EMS systems.
ELIGIBILITY: Any currently licensed or official agency that is recognized by the state or federal government that is based in Virginia and is directly responsible for responding to emergencies or disasters and providing the direct delivery of care. Includes governmental, commercial, volunteer, hospital, industrial and air ambulance services.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EMS FOR CHILDREN
CRITERIA: An individual or organization that demonstrates outstanding dedication and service to the contribution, development and/or enhancement of EMS for Children in Virginia.
ELIGIBILITY: An individual or organization with a significant contribution to the development or enhancement of EMS for Children in Virginia. Services cover a continuum of care, from injury prevention to prehospital care, emergency department and hospital services, and rehabilitation.
REGIONAL EMS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING EMS TELECOMMUNICATOR
CRITERIA: An emergency medical telecommunicator, public safety answering point administrator, supervisor or training officer whose outstanding dedication and service has demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the improved delivery of emergency medical services in the local, regional, statewide and or national EMS system.
ELIGIBILITY: An emergency medical telecommunicator, public safety answering point administrator, supervisor or training officer who is employed or volunteers with an emergency medical services dispatch center or public safety answering point in Virginia.
Virginia EMS Scholarship
CRITERIA: Any high school senior or GED recipient under the age of 25 who has been affiliated with
an EMS agency for at least 90 days, and who is currently enrolled or will be enrolled in an
institution of higher learning or an accredited ALS training program in the coming year.