July 1, 2025 – We’ve just rolled out the new Prepared for Pediatrics EMS program to support safer, more effective emergency care for kids. Head over to the Prehospital Readiness page for the full details and resources.
December 2025 – We are processing Prepared for Pediatrics EMS Letters of Intent as they are received Please email EMSC@pehsc.org with any questions.
January 2026 – The Prepared for Pediatrics ED program is awaiting final approval. Please check back over the next few weeks for more information on the Facility Readiness page.
Welcome to the Pennsylvania EMS for Children Program!
The EMS for Children Program in Pennsylvania is a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Bureau of EMS, the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC), and other partners as part of a federal grant initiative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The mission of the Federal EMS for Children Program is to ensure that all children and adolescents, no matter where they live, attend school, or travel, receive appropriate care in a health emergency.
The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a national multi-phase quality improvement initiative to ensure all U.S. emergency departments and EMS agencies that respond to public 911 calls for service have the essential guidelines and resources in place to provide effective high- quality emergency care to children.
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Pennsylvania EMS for Children
Check the PA EMS for Children page often for information on pediatric continuing education classes,
This is what persistence can accomplish. ❤️ After decades of tireless dedication from families and advocates, Greg Moyer’s Law has officially been signed by Governor Shapiro.
This life‑saving law exists because more than 25 years ago, Rachel Moyer lost her son Greg to cardiac arrest at his high school basketball game and refused to accept that another family should ever experience a preventable loss like hers.
Thanks to the leadership of SB 375 sponsor Senator Rosemary Brown and the unwavering commitment of the PA Smart Heart Sports Coalition, every Pennsylvania school will now be required to have a cardiac emergency response plan, ensure staff are trained in CPR and AED use and make AEDs accessible at school athletic events.
This is what advocacy looks like. This is what it means to turn heartbreak into action. Lives will be saved because people never stopped fighting.
#NationofLifesavers #CPRwithHeart #CPRSavesLives #HeartPowered
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Short notice but worth the effort!
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April is Autism Awareness Month and we're highlighting how we can better support our young pediatric patients and those on the autism spectrum.
We had an Eagle Scout member, Blake, stop by and drop off Pediatric Calming Bags to our station. Items in the bags include include stress balls, pop-it fidget toys, stuffed animals, bubbles and more! Offering a calming item early in patient contact, along with a thoughtful and patient-centered approach, can significantly improve comfort, cooperation, and overall patient experience.
Thank you for your donation, Blake!
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Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)
Legislatively authorized advisory body to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health on issues related to EMS
On Monday May 11th PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 David J. Lindstrom EMS Innovation Award to Dr. Gerald Wydro from the Bucks County EHS Council and Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad.
Dr. Gerald Wydro’s career reflects nearly four decades of leadership, innovation, and sustained commitment to improving emergency medical services in Pennsylvania. His work exemplifies the values recognized by the David Lindstrom EMS Award: practical leadership, forward-thinking program development, and meaningful contributions that strengthen the Commonwealth’s EMS system.
Dr. Wydro began his career in EMS as a Pennsylvania-certified EMT, providing direct patient care in the field with the Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad in Bucks County. This early experience established a lifelong connection to prehospital medicine and shaped his collaborative approach to EMS physician leadership. Even after becoming an emergency physician, he maintained close operational relationships with field providers and agencies throughout the region. Over the course of his career, Dr. Wydro has served in numerous leadership roles that directly advanced the quality and organization of EMS care. As Regional EMS Medical Director for Bucks County, he has provided clinical oversight, system leadership, and physician guidance for a diverse network of EMS agencies serving a large and growing population. In that capacity he has supported the development of clinical standards, quality improvement processes, and operational coordination that enhance the safety and effectiveness of prehospital care.
In addition to his EMS leadership, Dr. Wydro has contributed to emergency medicine education and health-system leadership, mentoring physicians, paramedics, and EMTs while strengthening the integration between hospitals and prehospital providers.
Dr. Wydro’s career demonstrates the lasting impact of a physician leader who understands EMS from the street level to the system level. His nearly forty years of service have helped advance the quality, professionalism, and effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s EMS system.
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Tuesday — Safety Day
🦺 EMS Week 2026 | Safety Day 🦺
Safety is mission‑critical for patients, providers, and the public. EMS fills essential healthcare gaps by delivering out‑of‑hospital care when and where it matters most.
Today we highlight the importance of scene safety, roadway awareness, and preparation; and we thank EMS professionals who stay vigilant so they can continue serving their communities safely.
#EMSWeek2026 #SafetyDay #SceneSafety #MoveOver #ImprovingOutcomesTogether #yourvoiceinems
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On Tuesday May 5th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the Dr. Deno Gualtieri 2026 EMS Physician Award to Dr. Christopher Berry of the Geisinger Health System and Geisinger EMS.
Dr. Berry was recognized for his outstanding advocacy of EMS, his dedication to prehospital providers and the patients they serve, his hands-on commitment to EMS, and his willingness to be present during critical incidents, supporting patient care and reinforcing the partnership between physicians and prehospital clinicians. His teams know they can count on him for clear guidance, calm support, and engaged collaboration during some of the most challenging moments in prehospital emergency care. They report he actively works to ensure EMS providers have the resources, education, and clinical support necessary to deliver the highest level of care to their communities. He listens to the concerns of providers, values their input, and works tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between EMS agencies and the healthcare system.
His role extends well beyond local oversight. His engagement extends across the state, where he is part of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Medicine Executive Committee, and nationally as a published author of key Emergency Medical Services research.
Dr. Berry’s leadership, accessibility, and genuine respect for EMS professionals have made a lasting impact on the agencies and providers he serves. His commitment to improving prehospital care and supporting those who deliver it exemplifies the true spirit of EMS medical direction.
This year’s award honored long time ED and EMS Physician Dr. Deno Gualtieri, a dedicated EMS agency medical director, medical command physician, and emergency department director who passed suddenly in early 2026. Dr. Gualtieri’s mission and vision clearly demonstrated the values of the EMS Physician award, and his untimely loss was a significant blow to the regional providers and patients he served.
#geisinger
#pehsc
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Seven Mountains EMS Council
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Monday — Education Day
📘 EMS Week 2026 | Education Day 📘
Education is the foundation of exceptional patient care. EMS team members complete thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to strengthen lifesaving skills and improve outcomes in every community.
Today, we celebrate the instructors, preceptors, training officers, and lifelong learners who keep EMS ready for what’s next; every call, every day.
#EMSWeek2026 #EducationDay #EMSStrong #ImprovingOutcomesTogether #PAEMS #yourvoiceinems
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On Saturday May 2nd PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Contribution to EMS Award to Chief Darrell Fisher of the New Holland Ambulance Association.
Chief Fisher was recognized for his 25 years of service to the New Holland community where he has been Chief for nearly 20, has advanced the organization from a BLS service, to the Intermediate level and most recently to becoming a licensed ALS service. Chief Fisher has promoted community strength with a recent consolidation of a neighboring service, the development of the New Holland Training Institute, a community wide AED program throughout the area, and most recently the regions first prehospital blood program. His staff compliment him for his leadership, humility, professionalism, and empathy. His focus consistently emphasizes maintaining exceptional patient care while fostering a strong culture of safety for the organization through training, education, high-quality equipment, consistent communications, and more.
Chief Fisher also received several legislative recognitions from area representatives for his service to the community.
Congratulations Darrell.
New Holland Ambulance
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Emergency Health Services Federation
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Get Involved
EMS for Children in Pennsylvania provides programs and support in the pre-hospital and emergency department settings for the emergent care of children and other associated activities. Development, implementation and support of these programs comes from a representative group of advisory committee members and statewide pediatric champions who are dedicated to the delivery of prompt, safe, and competent care for our children.
