Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)

Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC) Legislatively authorized advisory body to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health on issues related to EMS

🚜 Rural EMS providers—this one’s worth a look.A July 20 Field Day is focused on real risks we see in the field: digester...
06/11/2026

🚜 Rural EMS providers—this one’s worth a look.
A July 20 Field Day is focused on real risks we see in the field: digesters, manure systems, and confined spaces.
Great opportunity to learn, connect, and stay sharp.
đź“… July 20
đź”— Details & registration on the flier
https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/surveys/?s=ELKWPXHKJ8JXD778
Please share—awareness matters. 🚨

🚑 **Pennsylvania EMS Professionals – We Need Your Input!**EMS providers face unique challenges that can impact mental he...
06/10/2026

🚑 **Pennsylvania EMS Professionals – We Need Your Input!**

EMS providers face unique challenges that can impact mental health, wellness, and job satisfaction. Researchers are conducting an IRB-approved, anonymous national survey to better understand burnout, mental health, coping strategies, and resource utilization among EMS professionals.

Your participation will help provide valuable insight into the experiences of EMS clinicians across Pennsylvania and the nation, while supporting future wellness initiatives for the EMS community.

âś… Takes less than 10 minutes to complete
✅ Completely anonymous – no names, IP addresses, agency identifiers, or personally identifiable information collected
âś… Includes information on available crisis and wellness resources
âś… Results will be reported only in aggregate

**Survey Link:**
https://redcap.slhn.org/surveys/?s=78TXYMHR4CE9N99T

The more Pennsylvania EMS professionals who participate, the stronger the data will be to help inform future provider wellness efforts. THE DEADLINE TO RESPOND IS AUGUST 31, 2026

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important research and for your continued service to your communities.

June 1–7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week. About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. If someone you love ...
06/01/2026

June 1–7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week.

About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. If someone you love collapses, you could be the difference between life and death.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Learn Hands-Only CPR in 2 simple steps:
âś… Call 911
âś… Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

Be ready. Be a lifesaver. What if it were them?

This Memorial Day, PEHSC solemnly honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our co...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, PEHSC solemnly honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice protects the freedoms we enjoy and inspires our continued commitment to serving our communities.

As we gather with family and friends, we encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this day. Let us honor the fallen through service, remembrance, and gratitude.

We remember. We honor. We serve.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Pennsylvania EMS Award winners.
05/24/2026

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Pennsylvania EMS Award winners.

đź’™ Thank You for Supporting EMS đź’™Thank you to everyone who supports emergency medical services and the dedicated professi...
05/23/2026

đź’™ Thank You for Supporting EMS đź’™

Thank you to everyone who supports emergency medical services and the dedicated professionals who serve our communities every day. EMS is more than a job—it’s a calling.
EMS providers give of themselves daily, answering calls at all hours, putting others first, and standing ready when emergencies strike. Their commitment, skill, and compassion save lives and strengthen communities across Pennsylvania and beyond.
EMS professionals deserve recognition not just during EMS Week, but every chance we get. Please join us in thanking EMS providers for their unwavering service and dedication.

We invite you to Join PEHSC as an Organization or Individual by applying on our site https://pehsc.org and strengthening Your Voice In EMS.

On Friday May 22th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 202...
05/23/2026

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

On Thursday May 21th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2...
05/23/2026

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

Saturday — EMS Remembrance Day🕯️ EMS Week 2026 | EMS Remembrance Day 🕯️Today we pause to remember and honor EMS professi...
05/23/2026

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.

On Thursday May 21th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2...
05/22/2026

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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Mechanicsburg, PA
17055

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