Virginia EMS Blog

RSAF Grant Cycle Now Open

The Spring 2023 RSAF Grant Cycle is now open and will close on Wednesday March 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

OEMS will accept applications from nonprofit licensed EMS agencies and other Virginia EMS organizations pursuant to § 32.1-111.12 via the EMS Grant Information Funding Tool (E-GIFT).

The financial assistance for Emergency Medical Services Grants Program, known as the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) is a grant program for nonprofit licensed EMS agency or other Virginia emergency medical service organization operating on a nonprofit basis exclusively for the benefit of the general public pursuant to § 32.1-111.12 of the Code of Virginia.

Items eligible for funding include EMS equipment and vehicles, computers, EMS management programs, courses/classes and projects benefiting the recruitment and retention of EMS members.

For more information, visit: RSAF Grants Program

Grant Webinar Opportunity

Register Here: FY23 TVTP Grant Program Forecast Webinar 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) will be hosting three Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) forecast webinars for potential applicants to learn about the grant program and CP3’s mission. The presentation will cover a general overview of the program, the types of projects funded, resources that applicants can leverage to complete their applications, and an opportunity to ask questions. Each presentation will cover the same material; please register for the date that works best for your schedule.

Dates/Times: Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ 2:00 pm EST

Friday, January 27, 2023 @ 2:00 pm EST

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 @ 2:00 pm EST

For More Information

Please contact the CP3 grants team at TerrorismPrevention@hq.dhs.gov with any questions. If needed, there is availability to schedule phone/video meetings. Organizations that represent groups of eligible applicants can also request additional webinars, subject to availability.

Symposium Call for Presentations Now Open

The 2023 Virginia EMS Symposium Call for Presentations is now open. The Annual Virginia EMS Symposium, scheduled for November 8th through 12th, 2023, is one of the nation’s premier educational opportunities for EMS providers and Registered Nurses to obtain continuing education and network. Each year, more than 1500 registrants choose from over 350 different programs over the 5-day event. National and local educators participate to make this event one of the top pre-hospital educational opportunities in the country. The Symposium has multiple tracks covering Administration, Airway, Respiration, Ventilation, Cardiology, Critical Care, Educator, Heath & Safety, Leadership & Management, Medical, MIH-CP, Operations, Pediatric and Trauma. Sessions generally run 1 hour with the exception of our specialty classes that vary in length from 3 hours up to a total of 24 hours. 

For more information and to submit your proposal, visit: Symposium Call for Presentations

2022 Governor’s EMS Award Recipients Announced at 42nd Annual Virginia EMS Symposium

On Saturday, November 12, the 2022 Governor’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award recipients were announced during the 42nd Annual Virginia EMS Symposium and Governor’s EMS Awards ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia. These awards, given in Governor Glenn Youngkin’s name, recognize EMS providers and organizations from across the Commonwealth for their outstanding level of excellence and dedication to the EMS system. Learn more: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/2022-governors-ems-award-recipients-announced-at-42nd-annual-virginia-ems-symposium/

Important Updates Regarding Hurricane Nicole and Impacts in Virginia

The remnants of Hurricane Nicole are approaching Virginia, and impacts may begin as early as this evening, Thursday through Friday night. Along with wind and rain, there is an increased risk of tornadic activity across the Commonwealth. Please take a few moments and review the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s (VDEM) page on tornadoes and what to do before and during a tornado:


If you are attending the Virginia Office of EMS Symposium, please make sure that you remain weather aware and are monitoring the weather through your preferred app. The Virginia Office of EMS will notify attendees of the 2022 Virginia EMS Symposium by email and social media if there are any changes to the symposium event schedule.