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 Monday May 4th PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 Amanda Wertz Memorial EMS for Children Award to Dr. Theresa Walls from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Walls was recognized for her advocacy of pediatric readiness, education, disaster planning, collaboration, and clinical excellence through her roles as an attending physician in the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She also serves as Medical Director of the CHOP EMS Institute, and is an integral part of the CHOP Outreach team. Dr. Walls is an active and engaged member of the PA EMS for Children Advisory Committee, has served as the American College of Emergency Physicians Representative to the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Steering Committee of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center, and has been a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics National Pediatric Readiness Project Steering Committee. She serves on the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Medicine Board of Directors and contributes regularly to PACEP’s work, bringing a pediatric and EMS perspective to broader emergency medicine policy, education, and advocacy.
As a Veteran, Dr. Walls earned a Navy Achievement Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps commendation Medal.
Congratulations to Dr. Theresa Walls.
Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center
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Wednesday — EMS for Children Day
🧸 EMS Week 2026 | EMS for Children Day 🧸
Children aren’t just small adults. Pediatric emergencies require specialized training, equipment, and teamwork. EMS is a vital public service, improving survival and recovery when sudden illness or injury strikes.
Today we recognize the EMS professionals and partners who help ensure children across Pennsylvania receive the best possible emergency care, wherever they are.
Visit our EMSC Site and learn how you can become Pediatric Prepared paemsc.org
#EMSWeek2026 #EMSForChildren #PediatricEMS #ImprovingOutcomesTogether #PAEMS #yourvoiceinems
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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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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.
