Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System

07/19/2023

Why Take a Self-Screen? Taking a PTSD self-screen can help you learn if your feelings and behaviors are related to PTSD. Things that bother you now or keep you from doing things you want or need to do could be related to a trauma in your past. You're not alone, and there are PTSD treatments that work. So, why wait?

June 27th is PTSD Screening Day. It's a day we mark to spread the word about self-screening. That said, you can take the screen any time. Our goal is to help you get the treatment you deserve. If you are concerned about someone else, you can share the PTSD self-screen with them.
Learn more: https://buff.ly/3m8pCLy

05/06/2023

As part of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System (HRMMRS), Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is providing medical standby for the Langley Air Show: Air Power Over Hampton Roads at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. ✈️ 🚁🚑

12/25/2022

Wishing all a safe and happy holiday!

11/30/2022

It's here! GIVING TUESDAY - Donate today for life-saving impact in Hampton Roads!
Anyone, at any time, can be in need of a whole blood transfusion as a result of a traumatic event such as a car crash. Your support of the Whole Blood Initiative will help to maintain, sustain and grow this program in our region.
Learn more: Donate.TidewaterEMS.org

11/22/2022

-- You are the center of your care - Learn as much as you can about your disease and talk with your primary care provider about how you can get the support you need to meet your goals.

-- Manage diabetes as early as possible - Take steps to improve your health. Talk with your primary care provider about how you can manage your diabetes, follow the 'ABCs' and create a diabetes care plan.

-- Build your diabetes health care team - A team of health care professionals can tailor your care for your specific needs. Besides a primary care provider, your health care team may include a nutritionist and a certified diabetes educator.

Learn more: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month

11/17/2022

To be considered as a Presenter for TEMS's Healthcare Education Expo next Spring, please submit a proposal no later than November 30, 2022.

Online form to apply as a Presenter:
https://tidewaterems.org/component/chronoforms6/?chronoform=ems-expo-2023

More info about Expo 2023:
https://tidewaterems.org/1833-2023-expo-save-the-date-april-25-30-2023

The Tidewater EMS Education Expo is one of the state's premier educational opportunities for EMS providers and Nurses to obtain continuing education credits and to network with peers. Each year, more than 150 registrants choose from 5 different tracks over the 5-day event.

Planning has already begun for next year's Expo for April 25-30, 2023 which will be held in Chesapeake Virginia. The Annual Tidewater Healthcare Education Expo will be composed of multiple tracks covering ALS, BLS, Nurse/Medic and Hot Topics which include the following topics: Current Trends, Communications, Critical Care, Educator, Medical, Operations, Special Considerations and Trauma.

National and local educators participate to make this event one of the top pre-hospital educational opportunities in the state. Any person with an interest in participating as an Instructor is encouraged to submit “session” proposals for presentation during the 2023 TEMS EMS Education Expo. Sessions generally run for 1 hour. Pre-convention (Tuesday and Wednesday) sessions vary in length from 1.5 hours up to 8 hours to allow for Auxiliary course offerings (i.e. ACLS, AMLS).

We encourage you to submit more than one topic, since speakers are usually asked to present a minimum of two or three lectures, and include a brief (no more than 150 words) description for each lecture that could be used in a conference brochure. You will be contacted to let you know whether or not your topics meet our needs.

11/10/2022

11/09/2022

A huge thank you to all our incredibly generous sponsors who helped to make this year's Symposium possible. We are grateful for their sponsorship and their support means the world to us. Platinum Level Sponsors

11/08/2022

11/02/2022

Congratulations Chief Pravetz!

Deputy Chief Kenneth Pravetz Selected as Chief of the Virginia Beach Fire Department

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Nov. 2, 2022) – ​ After a nationwide search, Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney announced today the appointment of veteran Virginia Beach Fire Department employee Kenneth Pravetz as the new fire chief. Pravetz has been with the Virginia Beach Fire Department since February 1999.

Chief Pravetz has 35 years of career fire experience. He is an U.S. Air Force Veteran. Chief Pravetz has worked for Virginia Beach for 23 years. As he progressed through the ranks, Chief Pravetz held many challenging assignments. His current assignment is the Deputy Chief of Services responsible for personnel, finance, training, logistics, planning, and community risk reduction. As a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search & Rescue Virginia Task Force 2, homebased out of Virginia Beach, Chief Pravetz has deployed to several National Disasters as a planning team member and task force leader.

"Pravetz has the proven leadership and communication skills needed to be successful across our organization, in collaboration with our community partners and through a wide range of public safety emergencies," City Manager Patrick Duhaney said. "His decades of diversified management experience will help Virginia Beach continue to be a national leader in public safety for many more years to come."

Chief Pravetz holds an associate degree in fire science, a bachelor's degree in health and safety, and a Master of Public Administration Degree. In 2019, Chief Pravetz completed a master's degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He has a certificate from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Chief Pravetz is nearing completion of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Institute.

“It is an honor and to be selected to serve the City of Virginia Beach and lead this world class fire department,” said Pravetz. “The VBFD has a rich history. This department supplies exceptional fire, medical, and emergency services. I am truly proud to be part of this organization. The staff is mission focused and driven by our core values of Service, Caring, Integrity, Trust, and Honesty. I look forward to the transition into the new role as Fire Chief.”

Chief Pravetz is very active in the fire service; he serves on three NFPA technical committees and the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee. He also represents the IAFC on the Department of Homeland Security Emergency Services Sector Coordinating Council Executive Committee.

His appointment is effective January 1, 2023.

Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Rescue TV Training and News - A First Responders Network
IAFF Local 2924 Members Group International Association of Fire Fighters Virginia Department of Fire Programs

11/01/2022

Consider including Tidewater EMS Council (TEMS) in your end of year charitable giving with a donation during our Giving Tuesday Campaign to support the Whole Blood Initiative (WBI). The WBI is a life-saving program to equip EMS in our region to transfuse whole blood to trauma patients prior to their arrival at a hospital - an action that can significantly improve the patient's outcome. As a non-profit, TEMS relies on donations to fund special programs like the WBI and support from the public is greatly needed and appreciated. Learn more and contribute at: Donate.TidewaterEMS.org

10/30/2022

The TEMS Board also includes members who represent organizations related to TEMS' mission and are committed to serving the communities of our region:
Donna Marchant-Roof, Allied Health
Traci Richards, Behavioral Health
W. Travis Kirby, PA-C, EVMS
Brian Phillips, Special Operations
Janice E. McKay, Tidewater ENA
Thank you for participating - your contributions are appreciated!