Virginia Beach EMS

Chief Jason Stroud, Deputy Chief Clay Cofer and Division Chief John Bianco attended a ceremony on Friday where 11-year-old Vada Carawan was given the Mayor’s Lifesaving Award. On Nov. 23, 2024, Vada saved her father’s life after he suffered a heart attack. Her dad, Clinton Carawan, complained of chest pain before collapsing. Vada immediately called 911 and performed CPR, a skill she learned 11 days earlier in a Girl Scout meeting. While on the phone with Virginia Beach Emergency Communications & Citizen Services dispatcher David, Vada stayed calm and focused. She followed David's directions and performed chest compressions for several minutes. Dr. Deepak Talreja, chief of cardiology for Sentara Health, described the situation as a sudden cardiac death. He said Vada's quick actions kept blood flowing to her dad's brain, giving him a chance at survival. Clinton was rushed to the hospital and underwent life-saving interventions. Dr. Talreja credited Vada's immediate CPR for saving her father's life. Vada emphasized the importance of believing in oneself, regardless of age. Vada's mom, Amanda Carawan, expressed pride in her daughter's heroic actions, calling her a hero. Vada's story shows the importance of learning CPR, calling 911 immediately, remaining calm and following the emergency dispatcher's directions.

Congratulations to the graduates of the second Virginia Beach EMS Citizens Academy for completing six weeks of learning how to save lives and about the service and dedication provided by career and volunteer members to the community. They also learned first-hand the skills and training required to become certified providers. The 23 graduates received a certification of completion during the graduation ceremony on March 5 in City Council Chamber. More: https://bit.ly/41txXOn

Today Va Beach #EMS officers had the privilege of hearing from Suffolk (Va) Fire Chief Michael Barakey during their officer Inservice. With more than 30 years of diverse emergency services experiences, Chief Barakey spent time talking about #CriticalDecisionMaking and point-to-point leadership. Thank you Chief! #professionaldevelopment

Congratulations to Class of 2025 EMS Citizens Academy! Twenty-three residents graduated from the EMS Citizens Academy on Wednesday. The ceremony included remarks from EMS Deputy Chief Amy Ward and VB Rescue Council President Mike McCracken. Participants learned about our unique combined system, operations and administration, lifesaving skills and techniques. They also toured the VB911 center. We can’t wait to see how they’ll use their knowledge to help make Virginia Beach an even safer place to live. Learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/4hbmgl3

EMT Academy 74 successfully completed the course! The students received certificates during a completion ceremony on Feb. 24. They are now eligible for National Registry testing. After obtaining EMT certification, they will begin the internship process to operate as an attendant-in-charge. Congratulations! Did you know the VBEMS EMT Academy is free with a commitment of one year of volunteering? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUBGetfg

The VBEMS training team offered a "March Madness" continuing education credit event during the weekend, where providers and firefighters were able to sign up for CEU (continuing education unit) classes from managing the airways, pediatric airway management, trauma skills and more. One of those classes was "Hyperbarics with the OMD," which was taught by EMS Operational Medical Director Dr. Stewart Martin. The class provided EMS professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize, assess and manage patients who may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The class had attendees from VB Rescue, VBEMS, Virginia Beach Fire Department and Chesapeake Fire Department. Become a volunteer and help save lives! https://bit.ly/41pQ3AH #collaboration #partnership #ems #virginiabeach #emergencymedicalservices #vbems #vbrescue

Virginia Beach EMS and Virginia Beach Fire Department Chiefs periodically bring their senior staff members together to share important information and updates with one another as part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong partnership. At their most recent gathering, EMS Division Chief Jeff Meyer was presented with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his completion of the prestigious Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy. The EFO program is a rigorous leadership development program for emergency service officers. Division Chief Meyer is the first Virginia Beach EMS Chief officer to have completed the EFO program. Congratulations and job well done, Chief!

?? ??? Winter Storm Kingston didn't stop our crews from bringing patients to the hospital. Throughout the storm, career and volunteer providers continued to serve the community and ensure patients were safely taken to the hospital during calls. Pictured: VBEMS Paramedics K. Snider and K. Joynt, VBEMS Paramedic Bailey Hartley and EMT Zachary Knight, Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad, Division Chief John Bianco, Career Paramedic Erik Johnson, Career Paramedic Michelle Stephenson-White, AEMT Student Katie Snell and Ocean Park volunteer Paramedic Wendi Ambrose, Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, VBEMS Paramedic Hunter Morrison, Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc, Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad, Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad ?? Did you know the VBEMS EMT Academy is free with a commitment of one year of volunteering? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUBGetfg

Congratulations to Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad EMT Adam Harris, who was recognized as the 2025 EMT of the Year by Princess Anne Post No. 113 Virginia Beach during their legion’s annual “Law and Order Day” ceremony last weekend. Adam was honored alongside other Virginia Beach public safety partners: 2024 Police Officer of the Year - MPO Aaron Dove 2025 Police Officer of the Year - MPO David Ludwig 2025 Deputy of the Year - Sgt. Joel Conti 2025 EMT of the Year - EMT Adam Harris 2025 Firefighter of the Year - MFF Christopher Daugherty 2025 ECCS Dispatcher of the Year - MPST Nathan Emilio Thank you for your dedication and service to the community. Apply to become a volunteer and help save lives! ?? https://lnkd.in/e_TbD5EQ

It's official. Nine certified providers — 5 paramedics and 4 advanced EMTs — are ready to hit the streets with Field Training Officers! The nine providers successfully completed onboarding for Career Academy #25-01. The career academy curriculum included a detailed clinical protocol review, difficult airway training, RSI awareness, and mass casualty response. The VBEMS family is growing! Learn more about volunteering or a career with VBEMS: ?? https://lnkd.in/e_TbD5EQ ?? https://lnkd.in/esCHptrD #careers #career #vbems #virginiabeach #paramedic #aemt #ems