The WVEMS Council recently received a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services for the purchase of i-gel® Resus Pack airways for the region. This grant is to assist in the conversion specified by the WVEMS Regional Medical Direction Committee in our most recent protocols. Your field coordinators have begun delivering the i-gel devices to the agencies for future implementation. 

All EMS agencies will receive one set of i-gel Resus Packs in sizes 3, 4 and 5 for each licensed EMS vehicle.  Once your agency has received the i-gels, your Operational Medical Director will determine when to implement them. 

All hospitals in our region have been contacted about i-gel implementation and exchange and they are working with their supply chains to ensure that you are able to exchange “i-gel for i-gel.”  While we are working to streamline this process, we appreciate your understanding if the hospital that you transport to does not have an i-gel for exchange, you may receive a King Airway instead of an i-gel until stock is depleted. Please note that the i-gel, like the King airways, will be available for a ONE-FOR-ONE exchange. 

We are currently working with Intersurgical (i-gel manufacturer) to have a live training session in each planning district.  We will keep you posted on the dates.  Below, you will find a video from Intersurgical with information and direction for placement of the i-gel Resus Pack.

i-gel® Placement Video

Please read and become familiar with this resource document. Remember that approval to transport to alternate destinations is a decision to be made by YOUR OMD. The WVEMS Medical Direction Committee is considering this matter. Watch for further information! pdf WHITE PAPER - TRANSPORT TO ALTERNATE SITES (201 KB)

First responders are repeatedly exposed to other people's traumatic experiences. This can leave first responders with memories, images, sounds, and smells that linger long after the event is over. This is called Vicarious Trauma. Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, a CSB based in Roanoke, is now offering telehealth appointments to assist. pdf Please see this FLYER for more information.   (1009 KB)

WVEMS COVID-19 Protocols and Guidance Updated

The WVEMS Council’s Regional Medical Direction committee has continually updated the COVID-19 Protocol. A simplified version was recently posted.  The protocol includes a link to a reference document which will be updated continually.  In the protocol, there is a QR code and a clickable link to the reference document. Please use the link to access this information rather than printing it, as it will be updated frequently.

The linked document is a live document that will change fluidly, so reference the link or QR code often.  WVEMS Council will make every attempt to send out push notifications of revisions to this live document. However, please understand that our Regional Medical Direction Committee physicians are updating this document directly, so notice of revisions may not reach Council staff immediately. Please check the link often! 

Also, please see the attached document that outlines our UPDATED decontamination policy for drug boxes (sample attached).  When you exchange a drug box at a hospital or FSED, you must complete a Drug Box Decontamination Procedure Form. As we learn more about COVID-19, this document will  be revised again.  In the event that the details of this document change, we will communicate the changes with you and make sure that you have the most up-to-date information. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office or if you have specific protocol concerns or questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LINK TO WVEMS EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROTOCOL  (wvems.org/COVID-19)

pdf LINK TO DRUG BOX DECONTAMINATION DIRECTIVE (30 KB)

LINK TO GUIDANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE SERVICE AGENCIES

pdf DRUG BOX DECON PROCEDURE FORM (51 KB)