WVEMS' former administrative intern Matthew Chupp recently completed a monumental project to scan all of the Board of Directors meeting minutes (and other corporate documents) dating back to the Council's organizational meeting held on October 2, 1975. Looking over these many notebooks filled with minutes brought back memories, especially to those who have been involved with WVEMS in one form or another since near the beginning. For a trip down memory lane, or to research how things got to be where they are, feel free to take a look HERE!

You "old-timers" might recall some of our incorporating directors: Mt. Pleasant Rescue Squad member Mr. Gary E. Dogan; Our first president and regional medical director Dr. John M. Garvin; Executive Director of the SW Virginia Health Systems Agency Mr. Dale Byington; Attorney Mr. Kenneth C. King, Jr; Giles Memorial Hospital administrator Mr. Robert Smith; New River Valley PDC EMS Coordinator Ms. Elizabeth Kaplan; NRV orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stuart Mackler;  and Montgomery County Sheriff Mr. Louis E. Barber.

WVEMS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. We strive to support our citizens, EMS providers, hospitals, localities and EMS/public safety agencies to the best of our ability. But we also need your support! All contributions, no matter how small, are greatly appreciated!

NATIONWIDE IV FLUID SHORTAGE – WVEMS GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Due to the nationwide shortage of IV fluids, beginning immediately, EMS providers in the WVEMS Region will only spike and use a bag of Normal Saline (or any other IV fluid) if they are responding to the following categories of patients (unless otherwise directed by medical control):

• Hypotension, secondary to traumatic or medical issues
• Hypovolemia
• Cardiac Arrest
• All other patients should receive a saline lock until advised differently.

Download a copy of the IV Fluid Shortage Protocol Revision Memo from Dr. Charles Lane, Regional Medical Director.

If you have further questions, you can contact the regional council at wvems.org or at

Our regional Protocols have been reviewed and modified and the WVEMS 2014 EMS Protocols have been released. Changes from the 2013 Protocols to the 2014 Protocols include corrections and clarifications, changes reflecting State Scope of Practice updates allowing allowing additional medications to be administered by EMTs. EMT- Enhanced/Advanced and EMT Intermediates. and 1 NEW Protocol for Intractable V-Fib/V-Tach (Adult).  There are also changes to Procedures, Policies and Medication References including 1 NEW Procedure, Defibrillation - Manual, Double Sequential. All the Changed, Modified, New Protocols, Procedures, Policies and References which includes an Apendix of the updates.

REMEMBER. just reading a Protocol, Procedure or Policy that allows you to perform a new skill or administer a new medication does not allow you to do that.  Your OMD must release you to perform the skill or administer the medication, and in most cases that release to perform/administer will most likely be proceeded by traininng and check-off.  Meetings will be held mid-July with Instructors, Coordinators and Training Officers to provide them with information and materials to carry back to classes and squads