News

News

tems expoThe Tidewater EMS Council has opened registration for the 2025 Tidewater Healthcare Expo. The Expo is an annual educational event that offers education, networking, and engaging presentations for healthcare professionals. While SWEMS is not affiliated with the event, we are happy to share information about this great educational opportunity. Additional information is available by clicking READ MORE.

oems vdhThe Virginia Office of EMS has released some important information updates. The Director of the Office of EMS (OEMS) position has been posted. For more information, please review this link. In addition, it has been determined there will be no statewide EMS Symposium held in 2024. Please view this link for more details. Finally, OEMS has also released additional information regarding changes to the Virginia EMS drug box system. The full article can be accessed by clicking this link.

To see the latest information from the Virginia Office of EMS, please visit the OEMS webpage at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/. 

RSAF logojpg 768x331The Office of EMS has announced a special ePCR EMS System Initiative Grant. This grant aims to assist non-profit EMS agencies and localities in offsetting costs associated with establishing electronic patient care reporting previously funded by the Office of EMS (which expires July 1, 2025). It is designed to assist in start-up costs and not for long-term coverage. This grant opportunity will open on December 1, 2024, and close on January 3, 2025. The award date is Monday, March 31, 2025.

For more information, please read the ePCR EMS System Initiative Grant Announcement. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact the SWEMS office to schedule a meeting.

The Southwest Virginia EMS Council is hiring for a number of part-time positions. Please click read more to view the position descriptions and submit an application.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of EMS (OEMS) has distributed information to registered superusers of licensed EMS agencies. This includes a document that provides additional background and training information on Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), a rare and severe hemorrhagic illness caused by the Marburg virus. 

VDH is currently monitoring international cases of Marburg and OEMS is working hard to ensure good communication is established among EMS agencies in Virginia. It’s important to note that currently there are no cases of Marburg in Virginia or the United States, and the risk of infection with this virus in the United States is low. This information is being shared for awareness only. 

Small Training logoThe Council is pleased to announce the implementation of a free regional continuing education program. CE courses will be offered each month at our office. Courses will begin at 9:00 am and will cover a variety of topics. Registration is not required. Click READ MORE to view the list of dates and topics.

OEMS recently announced that in conjunction with Virginia’s EMS System, the Western Virginia EMS Council recently partnered with ESO to build a comprehensive, statewide network to better collect and track healthcare and public safety data from EMS agencies, fire departments and hospitals.

This will allow the system to really lean into data across the entire patient journey – from 911 call to hospital disposition – to help improve patient care and patient outcomes at a statewide level. Additionally, we’ll have greater insight into first responder well-being so we can provide ongoing support to this critical workforce. Bottom line, we’ll be able to leverage analytics to see data-driven trends that will help us make the most informed decisions when it comes to keeping Virginians healthy and safe.

For more information, click below:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/2021/03/11/eso-to-provide-software-and-services-to-virginia-ems-agencies-fire-departments-and-hospitals/

ce changes 2025 buttonThere has been a significant change made to CE requirements which affects the provider recertification requirements from now until 2029. For more information and official guidance, please refer to information provided on the OEMS website using this link.

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Proudly serving the cities of Bristol, Galax, and Norton and the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe. © 2018 Southwest Virginia EMS Council, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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