EMS Leadership Challenge



EMS Leadership Challenge Flyer


The next EMS Leadership Challenge Summit is scheduled during the VAVRS Rescue College in Blacksburg in June, 2013 - See Rescue College Brochure for details.

VAVRS Book Inventory


Strategic Planning Reference Manual


Discipline and Due Process for the EMS Agency Manual


Be a Leader Among Heroes

Why EMS Leadership?

If you are in EMS, you are a hero. If you are a leader in EMS, your job is more complex than ever. Changes like; integrating career and volunteer, revenue recovery, increasing call demands and greater competition for new recruits are just a few of the reasons why EMS agency leaders must become better leaders faster. The VAVRS wants to help equip you with the necessary leadership skills you need to be a leader among heroes.

What is the EMS Leadership Challenge?

Recognized as the Gold Standard of EMS Leadership training, the EMS Leadership Challenge is a self-development leadership program created exclusively for EMS agency leaders in Virginia. Working with professional skills development consultants and instructors, and a system of Accountability Mentors, the program takes a four step approach to leadership enhancement.

The EMS Leadership Challenge involves a Four-Step Process:

Step 1. Complete an online assessment - This identifies your leadership strengths and areas for development..

Step 2. Attend the EMS Leadership Challenge Summit - A two day, 16 hour, workshop where you work alongside other EMS leaders like yourself solving common agency problems, identifying your personal leadership goals, and focusing on core EMS leadership success competencies. At the summit you meet your personal Accountability Mentor who will be available to help you through your self-study development to help assure your success.

Steps 3. Self Study - You will customize your personal One Page Plan. Your plan will include required readings, exercises and applications that build on your strengths and focus on opportunties for your development. In this phase your Accountability Mentor will be available to assist you to reach a predetermined plateau in your program participation process.

Step 4. Complete A "Gold Standard Project" - Candidates choose a leadership project utilizing their newly developed skills. They complete a project plan, keep a project journal, write a final thesis and present their project results to a team of EMS professionals.

What can I expect to gain as a graduate of the EMS Leadership Challenge?

-Higher levels of proficiency in competencies important to EMS leadership success.

-A deeper understanding of the principles and practices of EMS leadership.

-Improved problem solving and analytical skills over a wider variety of real life problems.

-The satisfaction of growing as an EMS professional and leader prepared to meet the EMS leadership challenges of the future.

-Category 2 Continuing Education Credits, and

-State credentialing as a certified EMS Gold Standard Leader.

What is an Accountability Mentor?

An EMS Leadership Challenge Accountability Mentor is your own experienced EMS leader and mentor. include post-graduates of the EMS Leadership Challenge and proven EMS leaders and participants in many leadership courses.

How do I sign up?

Enrollment can be completed by contacting Karen Wagner and/or Gary Dalton, EMS Leadership Challenge Program Co-Coordinators at Karen Wagner 540-325-6893 or Gary Dalton (540) 481-0125
.