The regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will come into effect on November 27, 2024. We are actively collaborating with stakeholders, other Regional EMS Councils, the Virginia Office of EMS, and various entities to assess the potential impact of these FDA changes on each council's Drug Box Program and medication exchange processes.

In the interim, it is strongly advised that EMS agencies in the Commonwealth take the necessary steps to acquire a Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) through the Department of Health Professions (DHP). It’s important to note that with over 600 EMS agencies statewide, delaying the acquisition of a CSR may delay an agency's ability to purchase and/or store medications, which could impact the agency's ability to participate in the regional drug box program.

Our partners at ODEMSA created a  pdf Guide for Controlled Substance Registration Certificate Application for an EMS Agency (909 KB)  to aid agencies in filling out the CSR Initial Application and crafting the necessary Description of Process/Business Practices Letter as referenced in the CSR application’s “Footnotes.” This guide offers relevant questions and sample responses to help you draft a clear and concise letter. Our aim with this guidance is to expedite the completion of your letter, ensuring your CSR application is processed swiftly with minimal if any, delays due to additional inquiries.  Additionally, they have answers to some common questions on their website here.

On April 2, 2024, the Virginia Office of EMS created a guidance document related to the upcoming changes.  This can be found here:  pdf Memorandum: Changes to Virginia EMS Drug Box Exchange Program (194 KB)

Documents of Interest: 

pdf EMS replenishment DEA DSCSA and Anti kickback requirements November 2023 (280 KB)

pdf VA Regional EMS Medication Kit Transition Workgroup Recommendations 02 2024 (82 KB)

pdf NVEMSC Position Paper (783 KB)

pdf Memorandum: Changes to Virginia EMS Drug Box Exchange Program (194 KB)

pdf EMS Kits Presentation HR Fire Chiefs draft v4 003 (688 KB)

pdf EMS Drug Kit Joint Message VHHA VSHP 04 16 2024 (171 KB)

pdf Drug Kit Regulations Reminder 04 19 2024 (193 KB)

pdf EMS Drug Kit Exchange Joint NoVa Hospital Letter FINAL 05 08 24 (104 KB)  

pdf Requirements for Transactions with First Responders under Section 582 of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act— Compliance Policy Guidance for Industry (88 KB)

Do you know a provider, organization, or program that should be recognized for its excellence, dedication, and contribution to Virginia’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system? If so, submit a nomination today!

Click here to submit your nomination online. 

Please click here for downloadable nomination forms.  You may email these nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Award nominations for the 2024 Northern Virginia EMS Council Regional EMS Awards close on Friday, May 31, 2024!

Award Categories

Excellence in EMS  

• 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 individual engaged in emergency medical services.

Regional EMS Award for Innovation Excellence in EMS

• CRITERIA: An EMS provider, EMS agency or private/public organization involved in Emergency Medical Services that exemplifies innovative excellence and advancement in the statewide Virginia Emergency Medical Services system, and that has demonstrated a commitment to an innovation, comprehensive and unified system of Emergency Medical Services throughout the Commonwealth.
• ELIGIBILITY: Any individual, EMS agency, program, organization, public or private entity involved in Emergency Medical Services.

Outstanding EMS Leadership

• CRITERIA: An individual who has demonstrated ability to organize, conduct, manage, problem solve and evaluate within his or her 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.

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, preventive health programs, public relations efforts and participation in local, regional and statewide 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.

Outstanding Prehospital Provider   

• CRITERIA: An individual who exemplifies outstanding dedication and service to his or her community through involvement with EMS.
• 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.

Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS 

• CRITERIA: An EMS physician who exemplifies outstanding leadership and dedication in the exercise of prehospital care.
• ELIGIBILITY: Any licensed physician who is actively 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.

Nurse with Outstanding Contribution to EMS   

• CRITERIA: A nurse who exemplifies outstanding service in emergency medical services; knowledge and performance of EMS nursing skills; and high standards of cooperation and leadership with other EMS personnel and agencies. Highest consideration is given to performing a nursing role in a hospital or clinical setting such as precepting or quality assurance programs. Nurses who have demonstrated excellence as a prehospital provider or instructor should be nominated for those categories.
• ELIGIBILITY: Any Virginia licensed nurse serving in an active position.

Outstanding Prehospital Educator

• CRITERIA: A provider 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-Basic, EMT Enhanced, EMT Intermediate, EMT Paramedic, continuing education courses, preceptor programs or equivalent EMS training.
• ELIGIBILITY: A Virginia EMS educator.

Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children  

• CRITERIA: An individual, organization or program that exemplifies outstanding dedication and service to the contribution, development and/or enhancement of EMS for children in Virginia.
• ELIGIBILITY: An individual, organization or program with a significant contribution to the development or enhancement of EMS for children in Virginia. Services may cover a continuum of care, from injury prevention to prehospital care, emergency department and hospital services, and rehabilitation.

Outstanding Contribution to EMS Telecommunication 

• 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 or statewide EMS system.
• ELIGIBILITY: An emergency medical telecommunicator, public safety answering point administrator, supervisor or training officer who is employed by or volunteers with an organized emergency medical services dispatch center or public safety answering point in Virginia.

Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health & Safety  

• CRITERIA: Any individual, program, business or licensed EMS agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia that has demonstrated comprehensive and/or significant accomplishments/programs that make a significant contribution to or provide for the health, safety and welfare of EMS providers.
• ELIGIBILITY: Any individual, program, business or licensed EMS Agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Examples of programs meeting eligibility for this award would include EMS provider health and wellness programs (fitness and wellness, cardiovascular health), scene safety programs (aeromedical operations, emergency vehicle operations), and provider injury prevention programs (injury prevention at violent scenes) designed to prevent line of duty death and injury. Eligible applicants include persons or entities developing or managing such programs.

Outstanding Contribution to EMS Emergency Preparedness & Response  

• CRITERIA: Any individual, EMS organization or EMS response group within the Commonwealth of Virginia that has demonstrated comprehensive and/or significant accomplishments for programs that provide preparedness, response and recovery from natural, man-made and preplanned events, which cause a significant impact on the agency and the community. These activities should directly relate to and impact the provision of emergency medical care during these events.
• ELIGIBILITY: Any individual, EMS organization or EMS response group within the Commonwealth of Virginia

Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior or GED Recipient 

• This competitive $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior or GED recipient under the age of 21, 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.

  The Regional Winner will receive a $1,000 Scholarship for Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior or GED recipient. The Regional Winner will be Eligible to Win $5,000 Scholarship at the State level.

Guidelines

• Anyone may submit nominations for the Regional EMS Awards.

• For all categories, the nomination may be based on a pattern of conduct/activities that has culminated in an exceptional improvement of the emergency medical services system in the locality, region, or state.  The nomination may also be based on a single unusual event that was beyond ordinary duty.
• Using the official Nomination Form on the Regional EMS Council webpage, nominations can be submitted electronically or typed on the Nomination Form and mailed to the Regional EMS Council.
• The person making the nomination should have extensive knowledge of the nominee’s qualifications and carefully select the category that most appropriately matches the nominee’s accomplishments.
• The nominee must have current licensure or certification in the category in which he or she has been nominated.
• One letter of recommendation and a maximum of two additional attachments, which can include a resume or CV, newspaper/periodical articles or other materials, may be included with the nomination form. Please note: Only three attachments in total will be accepted. 

Don’t send nomination form until you’ve completed this checklist!

• Did you supply all the information required on the nomination form and the type of information that will help judges select the most outstanding nominee?
• Has the nominee met all of the criteria for this award category? If not, please consider another category. Nominees that are incorrectly categorized will not be considered.
• Did you include supporting materials if the category requires them?
• Did you include a high resolution digital photo of the nominee?
• Will you meet the required deadline for entries?

Please click here for downloadable nomination forms.

Award nominations for the 2024 Northern Virginia EMS Council Regional EMS Awards close on Friday, May 31, 2024!