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,
EMS for Children Day is almost here. As part of National #EMSWeek on May 20, join us for a focused webinar on managing C-spine injuries in the prehospital setting. Free CAPCE credit is available.
Register now and save your spot: emscimprovement.center/domains/prehospital-care/ems-week/
#EMSC #PediatricReadiness #PediatricEmergency #EMSWeek
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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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Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)
Legislatively authorized advisory body to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health on issues related to EMS
On Friday May 22th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 EMS Agency of the Year Award, Small Agency Division to the City of Meadville Fire Department of Crawford County.
In 2023, the department took decisive action to address the growing EMS crisis by launching a fire-based EMS program to ensure reliable, high-quality prehospital care for its community. In just two years, the agency has grown to handle more than 2,500 EMS calls annually, including nearly 400 responses outside the City of Meadville, demonstrating both operational capacity and regional commitment.
Beyond emergency response, the department has prioritized prevention and community engagement. Personnel routinely provide CPR, Stop-the-Bleed, and public safety education programs to schools, businesses, and community groups, strengthening resilience and empowering citizens to act in critical moments. The department also partnered with Meadville Medical Center to develop a paramedic training program, helping to cultivate the next generation of advanced life support providers and address workforce shortages locally.
Further expanding its impact, the department secured federal appropriations funding to launch a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, connecting vulnerable residents with healthcare resources, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits, and improving overall patient outcomes.
The Meadville Fire Department has consistently stepped forward when others could not, embracing innovation, collaboration, and service. Most importantly, its members provide compassion, professionalism, and hope to citizens during some of the darkest and most vulnerable moments of their lives.
For its leadership, growth, and unwavering dedication to community health, the Meadville Fire Department exemplifies EMS excellence in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council
Pennsylvania Department of Health
EMMCO West
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On Thursday May 21th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 EMS Agency of the Year Award, Large Agency Division to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority of Allegheny County.
Originating in 1977, McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority holds itself to the highest standards to ensure EMS excellence. They earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) in 2024. Utilizing a fleet of six ambulances, and operating from three stations, its 41 clinical staff respond to nearly 10,000 EMS calls per year across five communities.
MFPAA personnel completed 2,962 hours of training in 2025. They have consistently received the American Heart Association “Gold Status” for Cardiac and Stroke Care. In 2025, McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority had 22 successful CPR resuscitations.
To strengthen community outreach, they conduct public vaccine clinics, CPR/AED classes, child car seat checks, and countless athletic event standbys for local schools. MFPAA educates its community with emergency preparedness drills at schools, faith-based, and other organizations. MFPAA partnered with its local Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon on emergency preparedness and participates in Community Day for each of its communities. Annually, MFPAA hosts an Open House to kick-off National EMS Week.
MFPAA proudly provided over 4,400 hours of precepting EMS students from: Community College of Allegheny County, Pitt/Center for Emergency Medicine, Indiana University of PA, and their local vo-tech school.
MFPAA is active with the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, the Ambulance Association of PA, the American Ambulance Association, EMS West Regional Council, the Allegheny County EMS Council, Western PA EMS Honor Guard, and other industry related entities. Emphasizing provider and patient safety, MFPAA has a very active State Certified Workplace Safety Committee. MFPAA is honored to participate in a National Institute of Health study utilizing our Community Paramedics to assist Patients Living With Dementia (PLWD) and their families.
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health
EMS West
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Saturday — EMS Remembrance Day
🕯️ EMS Week 2026 | EMS Remembrance Day 🕯️
Today we pause to remember and honor EMS professionals who have died in the line of duty, holding their families, partners, and agencies in our hearts.
Emergency medical services is a vital public service, and the commitment to respond, no matter the hour, reflects extraordinary dedication.
We remember.
We honor.
We carry their legacy forward through service and teamwork.
#EMSWeek2026 #remembranceday #HonorAndRemember #ImprovingOutcomesTogether #yourvoiceinems
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On Thursday May 21th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 EMS Clinician of the Year Award to Tarin Dawson of Allegheny and Westmoreland County.
Tarin Dawson is highly deserving of the EMS Clinician of the Year honor for her exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to EMS over more than 11 years.
Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated clinical excellence and professionalism while serving in high-risk, high-acuity environments. Tarin’s advanced training and specialized certifications reflect her commitment to readiness and operational excellence. She is certified in multiple rescue disciplines, including swift water rescue, confined space rescue, and vehicle rescue, and she also serves as a highly skilled SWAT Medic, providing critical medical support in tactical situations where calm decision-making and expertise are essential. In addition to her tactical and rescue expertise, Tarin brings advanced critical care experience as a former Flight Paramedic, delivering high-level care to critically ill and injured patients during air medical transport. This role requires exceptional clinical judgment, advanced assessment skills, and the ability to perform under extreme time constraints, qualities Tarin demonstrates consistently.
Tarin also strengthens the EMS profession through her dedication to education and mentorship. As an EMS instructor and trusted preceptor, she has guided and trained many EMS students, helping shape the next generation of providers through hands-on teaching, clinical coaching, and a strong emphasis on patient-centered care and operational safety.
Beyond her field performance, Tarin is a passionate educator and advocate for community safety. She is an instructor in CPR, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and Rescue Task Force training, and for many years has dedicated her time to teaching life-saving skills to the public. Her instruction empowers community members to act confidently in emergencies and strengthens overall public preparedness.
Through her extensive service, specialized capabilities, and long-standing commitment to community education, Tarin Dawson exemplifies the very best of EMS. Her impact reaches far beyond individual calls, she strengthens her department, improves patient outcomes, and helps build a safer, more resilient community.
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC
Pennsylvania Department of Health
EMS West
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Friday — EMS Recognition Day
🚑 EMS Week 2026 | EMS Recognition Day 🚑
Today is dedicated to recognizing the value and accomplishments of career and volunteer EMS professionals who serve communities across the Commonwealth.
Thank you for being ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide lifesaving care when it’s needed most. During EMS Week (May 17–23, 2026), we encourage everyone to take a moment to thank an EMS provider for the essential service they deliver.
#EMSWeek2026 #EMSRecognitionDay #ThankYouEMS #ImprovingOutcomesTogether #PAEMS #yourvoiceinems
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On Wednesday May 20th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 Educator of the Year Award to Kimmin Dara Kalyaniwala with the Shumaker Public Safety Center at Harrisburg Area Community College.
Kimmin is recognized for her outstanding contributions to EMS education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For more than eight years, she has served at Harrisburg Area Community College, where she has had a profound and lasting impact on Paramedic, AEMT, and EMT students.
As a certified Pennsylvania EMS Instructor and education professional, Kimmin has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing instructional techniques and fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment. She is widely recognized for integrating empathy, compassion, professionalism, and patient-centered care into EMS education—qualities that are essential to the development of competent and resilient EMS providers. Her dedication extends beyond technical instruction; she actively mentors students, supports their professional growth, and instills the values of ethical practice, teamwork, and community service.
Through her leadership, curriculum development, and commitment to excellence, she has helped shape the next generation of EMS professionals who serve communities across Pennsylvania. Kimmin’s passion for education, unwavering commitment to student success, and positive influence on EMS culture make her an exemplary candidate for EMS Educator of the Year.
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.
