This page serves as a centralized listing of upcoming EMS conferences, expos, seminars, conventions, and statewide training programs available to Virginia’s EMS providers, educators, and system leaders. Events are submitted by EMS agencies and partner organizations throughout the Commonwealth and reviewed by OEMS staff.
Listing an event does not constitute endorsement by the Virginia Office of EMS.
For in-person offerings, the hosting EMS Region is identified to help participants plan for travel and logistics. If you are unsure of the EMS Regions or their geographic boundaries, please refer to the information provided below.
Training Opportunities Across Virginia
The seven OEMS Regions will function as collaborative partners with the VDH OEMS to perform bodies of work on behalf of OEMS and will be identified as “OEMS Region 1-7.” These new service areas were designated in alignment with VDH’s Local Health Districts and Virginia’s Healthcare Coalition. (Click on the map image below to enlarge image)
- OEMS Region 1,
Executive Director Bryan Kimberlin
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the Cities of Bristol, Galax, and Norton
- OEMS Region 2,
Executive Director Debbie Akers
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of : Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Roanoke, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Pulaski; and the Cities of : Bedford, Covington, Danville, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem
- OEMS Region 3,
Executive Director Kristin Nickerson
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Bath, Highland, Augusta, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren, and Clarke; and the Cities of: Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester
- OEMS Region 4,
Executive Director Kristin Nickerson
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William; and the Cities of: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park
- OEMS Region 5,
Executive Director Kristin Nickerson
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Albemarle, Caroline, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, King George, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and Stafford; and the Cities of: Fredericksburg, and Charlottesville
- OEMS Region 6,
Executive Director Heidi Hooker
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland, Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Surry, and Sussex; and the Cities of: Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond
- OEMS Region 7,
Executive Director David Long
Serving the following defined service areas: Counties of: Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, Southampton, Westmoreland, and York ; and the Cities of: Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Poquoson, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg
Virginia Fire Rescue Conference 2026
February 16 – 21, 2026 https://vfca.us/virginia-fire-rescue-conference/
Virginia Beach Convention Center
Virginia Beach, VA
Region 7
Central Virginia EMS Expo, 2026
February 28 - March 1, 2026
Henrico, VA
Region 6
3rd Annual Inova Northern Virginia EMS Symposium, 2026
March 18-19, 2026
Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Center
8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
3rd Annual Inova EMS Symposium Flyer
Region 4
2026 Tidewater Healthcare Education Expo
May 12-17, 2026 https://www.tidewaterems.org/expo
Norfolk, VA
Region 7
51st Annual VAFR Symposium (formerly known as VAVRS Rescue College)
June 6-15, 2026 (Registration opens March 1, 2026) https://www.vavrs.com/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=10100&pk_association_webpage=22468
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Region 2
2026 Wintergreen EMS Summit Peaks of Preparedness
2026 dates TBD, https://emssummit.org/
Wintergreen Resort, Nellysford, VA
Region 5
EMS PECC Workshop Training
Ever wonder what a Prehospital PECC is, or even what they do? The PECC is a person within an EMS agency that supports and champions the preparedness, training and safe delivery of pediatric care to the community. This workshop will present information on and how to build a solid pediatric program within your EMS agency.
This program is offered n collaboration with the Virginia OEMS EMS for Children (EMSC) Program
2026 Course Offerings:
April 15, 2026 8a-12p Grundy, VA Prater Fire and Rescue 1028 Killderr Ln. Grundy, VA 24614
Region 1
April 22, 2026 8a-12p Verona, VA Augusta County Fire and Rescue Training Center 115 Dick Huff Lane, Verona, VA 24482
Region 3
Mentoring and Leadership Programs
Program Overview
The Mentoring and Leadership Programs are designed to support EMS providers as they transition into roles of increased responsibility, influence, and leadership. These programs focus on developing the skills necessary to lead people, not just manage tasks while strengthening professionalism, accountability, and organizational culture across EMS systems.
Program Focus
Courses within this category emphasize:
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Leadership development at all levels of EMS
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Mentorship and professional growth
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Effective supervision, coaching, and evaluation
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Communication, feedback, and decision-making
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Ethical leadership, accountability, and risk awareness
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Building resilient, high-performing EMS teams
Who These Programs Are For
These programs are intended for EMS providers who:
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Are preparing for or currently serving in leadership, supervisory, or mentoring roles
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Function as Field Training Officers, preceptors, or educators
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Are transitioning from clinical roles into officer or management positions
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Seek to strengthen leadership effectiveness within their agency or region
Course Types You May Find in This Section
Offerings under Mentoring and Leadership Programs may include:
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Field Training Officer (FTO) and Preceptor Development
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EMS Officer (EMSO1) education and leadership training (linked separately)
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Supervisor and emerging leader workshops
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Mentorship and professional development programs
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Specialized leadership or system-focused training
Specific course details, prerequisites, and delivery formats vary by program and are listed within each individual course description.
EMS Field Training Officer (FTO) Program, Building Competence, Confidence, and Professionalism in EMS
Course Overview
The Field Training Officer (FTO) Program is designed to strengthen the quality, consistency, and professionalism of EMS field training through a structured, mentorship-based approach. This workshop focuses on developing effective FTOs who can build clinical competence, confidence, and professional character in newly hired or transitioning providers.
2026 Course Offerings:
March 7, 2026 9a-1p Vinton, VA Vinton First Aid Crew 110 W Jackson Ave, Vinton, VA 24179
EMS FTO Training Workshop- Vinton
Region 2
April 15, 2026 8a-12p Grundy, VA Prater Fire and Rescue 1028 Killderr Ln. Grundy, VA 24614
EMS FTO Training Workshop- Grundy
Region 1
April 22, 2026 8a-12p Verona, VA Augusta County Fire and Rescue Training Center 115 Dick Huff Lane, Verona, VA 24482
EMS FTO Training Workshop- Augusta
Region 3
The EMS Officer 1 (EMSO1) program, developed by the Virginia Office of EMS in collaboration with the State EMS Advisory Board’s Workforce Development Committee, serves as the entry-level leadership training course for EMS personnel across the Commonwealth.
This program is the fundamental building block in the evolution of becoming a leader and officer within an EMS agency. It is specifically designed for the Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) or those functioning in a supervisory role on an EMS unit. EMSO1 introduces the core knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to take on formal leadership responsibilities within EMS organizations.
Program Overview
The CISM and Peer Support Programs category includes training focused on behavioral health awareness, peer-based support, and critical incident stress management for EMS and public safety professionals. These courses are designed to support individual resilience, team wellness, and organizational readiness before, during, and after high-stress or traumatic events.
Offerings within this category may support peer team development, leadership roles, system-level response, and individual coping strategies.
Special Events & Guest Speakers
Travis Howze – Post-Traumatic Purpose: Leadership & Mental Health Resiliency
In-Person Special Event | March 7, 2026
Short description-
This in-person special event features guest speaker Travis Howze and focuses on leadership, mental health resiliency, and post-traumatic growth within the first responder community. This session is presented as a one-time event and is not part of the standard CISM or Peer Support course offerings.
Event details
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Presenter: Travis Howze Date: March 7 Format: In-Person
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Location: Highland Springs High School, Highland Springs, VA
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Audience: EMS providers, peer support members, supervisors, and leaders, and first responder family members
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Registration: See event flyer / registration link
Mental Health Resiliency Officer
Courses in this category prepare designated personnel to serve in a leadership or coordinator role focused on mental health resilience within an EMS or public safety organization. Training may include program development, resource coordination, referral pathways, confidentiality considerations, and integration of peer support and CISM services into agency operations.
Offerings:
CISM & Peer Support Team Training
This category includes formal Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training aligned with recognized CISM models and best practices. Courses may cover individual and group crisis intervention strategies, team roles and functions, activation processes, and ethical considerations when supporting responders following critical incidents.
Peer-to-Peer (Individual)
Peer-to-Peer (Individual) courses focus on one-on-one support skills for trained peers. Topics may include active listening, recognizing signs of stress or distress, appropriate referral, boundaries, confidentiality, and supporting colleagues during both acute and cumulative stress situations.
Offerings:
Group Training
Group Training courses address peer and CISM interventions delivered in group settings. These offerings may include training in defusings, debriefings, group discussions, and other structured group support formats, with emphasis on facilitation skills, participant safety, and coordination with leadership and clinical resources.
Offerings:
Suicide Prevention and Postvention
Courses in this category focus on suicide awareness, prevention, and postvention specific to EMS and public safety populations. Training may include risk factors, warning signs, intervention strategies, post-incident support, and organizational response following a suicide or suicide attempt within the workforce.
Offerings:
Psychological / Mental Health First Aid
Psychological and Mental Health First Aid courses provide foundational skills for recognizing and responding to signs of emotional distress. These offerings emphasize early intervention, supportive communication, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources while maintaining role boundaries and personal safety.
Offerings:
Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)
Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) courses provide live, interactive EMS education delivered in an online classroom environment. These courses are facilitated by qualified instructors and allow participants to engage in real-time discussion, ask questions, and participate in learning activities without the need for in-person attendance.
VILT offerings are designed to support continuing education, professional development, and leadership training while maintaining instructional quality, interaction, and accountability.
Why VILT
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Live instruction with real-time interaction
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Accessible statewide without travel
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Supports a variety of EMS education and leadership topics
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Ideal for agencies and providers seeking flexible learning options
VILT Course Offerings can be found at the link below
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/education-certification/provider-resources/virtual-instructor-led-training/vilt-course-offerings/
Various Hosts, Date, and Time Offerings
This page highlights upcoming EMS conferences, expos, seminars, conventions, and statewide training programs available to Virginia’s EMS providers, educators, and leaders. Events listed here are submitted by agencies and organizations across the Commonwealth and reviewed by OEMS staff.
Submit an Event
Is your agency or organization hosting an EMS conference, expo, seminar, or training program that you would like listed on this page?
Send the flyer (PDF preferred) and/or weblink, along with event details (date, time, location, and contact information) to:
Chris Vernovai at Chris.Vernovai@vdh.virginia.gov
Please submit events at least 2 weeks in advance to allow time for review and posting.