The Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Wayne Perry, MEd, BS, NRP as Deputy Director of EMS Operations. Mr. Perry brings more than 29 years of progressive leadership experience in EMS and public health operations, including over 15 years of service as a leader within Virginia’s Regional EMS Council system. His career spans roles as a flight paramedic, training coordinator and business manager, along with extensive service as a regional, state and national liaison to organizations such as the Board of Supervisors, the State EMS Advisory Board, the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS) and the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC). His service across this professional spectrum has given him a deep understanding of the many perspectives and challenges that shape EMS.

A proven innovator, Mr. Perry has led the design and implementation of award-winning public health outreach initiatives, including the Community Outreach Patient Engagement (COPE) program, Statewide Anatomage Tournaments, StrokeSmart Fredericksburg and Virginia HEARTSafe.

His expertise in organizational change, crisis continuity planning and collaborative governance reflects the forward-looking leadership needed to guide Virginia’s EMS System into the future.

Working under the leadership of the Virginia Office of EMS Director, Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat, and alongside the Deputy Director of Professional Standards and Accountability and the Business Operations Manager, he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of EMS development across the Commonwealth. As the Deputy Director of EMS Operations, Mr. Perry will oversee the System Optimization Division, the Emergency Operations Division and the Regional EMS Council Coordinators/Division, ensuring coordination and innovation across these vital areas.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Perry on this well-earned promotion and welcoming his leadership in this new role that is set to begin on September 25, 2025.

The National EMS Memorial Service recently honored 29 courageous EMS providers from across the nation who died in the line of duty while serving their community. Leadership and staff from the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) attended this ceremony to pay tribute to those who dedicated their life to service, including Virginia honoree Randolph Breton, Clinical Education Manager with AMR Physicians Transport Services. 

VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay led the pledge of allegiance, and was joined by State EMS Advisory Board Chair and Founder of the National EMS Memorial Service Kevin Dillard, who lit the memorial candle. Additional OEMS staff in attendance included: OEMS Director Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat, EMS-C Project Director and EMS Systems Funding Michael Berg, Director of System Optimization and Central Shenandoah EMS Council Regional Director Daniel Linkins and Division Director of Emergency Operations and Rappahannock EMS Council Regional Director Wayne Perry.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is also hosted in collaboration with this special weekend of honor. The riders visited the Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, in the Northern Virginia Emergency Response System council region, where they were welcomed with a special lunch and recognition ceremony for the honorees. The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s mission is to honor EMS personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties and those who have died in the line of duty. Learn more at: www.nemsmbr.org.

The National EMS Memorial Service commemorates the ongoing commitment, service and sacrifice of the nation’s EMS providers killed, injured or disabled in the line of duty, and honors all who continue to serve. Learn more at: National EMS Memorial Service.

   

    

    

On Monday, July 14, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) released their planned database migration and infrastructure upgrade that has unfortunately caused significant issues in the transfer of certification data to all state offices, including the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).

Virginia OEMS has not received any data file transfers as far back as Friday, July 10, which has caused a delay in the issuance of Virginia certifications. Our office is in daily contact with the National Registry as they work to resolve these issues and we apologize for any challenges this has caused individuals attempting to complete the Virginia certification process. We are currently exploring other options that would allow our office to process test results and issue Virginia certifications.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this issue, as it is not under the control of our office or Virginia’s EMS providers. We will provide additional updates as soon as we know more information. For questions, please contact Debbie Akers, OEMS Division Director of Accreditation, Certification & Education, deborah.t.akers@vdh.virginia.gov.

Plan to attend the National EMS Memorial Service, Saturday, July 19, at 5 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va.  The National EMS Memorial Service will honor EMS and air medical providers who died in the line of duty. The event will also be live-streamed (a live-stream link will be posted here.)

In addition to the National EMS Memorial Service, there is also a special weekend of events scheduled – the 2025 National EMS Weekend of Honor, July 18-20. Learn more about the event details, honoree biographies, a schedule of events, hotel information and more at: 2025 National EMS Weekend of Honor Event Site.

• View a listing of National EMS Memorial Service Honorees recognized this year.
• Download a copy of the 33rd Annual National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service program.
• Learn more about the background of the National EMS Memorial Service.

 

UPDATE: The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH), Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Request for Application (RFA) for the Regional EMS Council designation is now open, July 7 – August 15, 2025. The RFA process will establish a contract through competitive negotiation for the development and implementation of an efficient and effective statewide regional emergency medical services delivery system for VDH.

Learn more at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/regional-ems-council-designation-process-guidance-documents/

---

The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH), Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) is formally notifying Virginia’s EMS community of the upcoming process to reimagine Virginia’s EMS Council system.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, the official Request for Application (RFA) process will begin for organizations to apply to be the EMS Councils of record for the seven new Regional EMS Council areas. Organizations will be invited to submit applications formally through the Commonwealth’s official procurement system eVA. That process will be open through August 15, 2025.

Be on the lookout for the official RFA notification and directions on how to participate, coming soon: www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/.

As we continue to work to transform Virginia’s Office of EMS and its role in providing support to the EMS community, VDH and OEMS leadership remain committed to transparency and forward-thinking innovation. This RFA process and the redefined Regional EMS Council boundaries are an example of a new way of doing business in the Commonwealth. We continue to appreciate your partnership and support as we remain on that path.