NAEMT is pleased to announce the 2022 EMS Advocate of the Year Award recipients being recognized on March 30 during the virtual EMS On The Hill Day Briefing. Sponsored this year by Stryker and Demers-Braun-Crestline-Medix, the award recognizes EMS professionals whose volunteer efforts advance EMS through educating and engaging elected government leaders, EMS and healthcare communities, and the public. NAEMT congratulates and thanks these recipients for their determined support on behalf of the EMS profession and our patients!

David Blevins, Paramedic, BS, MA (Tennessee)

David is Director of EMS Education at Roane State Community College in Harriman, TN, where he has hosted city and county leaders to help expand their knowledge of EMS through discussions and simulated cardiac arrest scenarios. David participates in events that nurture conversations and relationships with local, state and federal legislators, and visits the offices of senators and representatives to advise them on EMS issues. David believes advocacy is imperative to enhancing the future of EMS, and the more EMS professionals have access to advocacy opportunities, the better the profession will be. He has inspired college faculty and students to learn about EMS advocacy and the legislative process. David participated in last year’s Hill Day and served as the leader of two state delegate groups. He has also participated in many advocacy events in the State of Tennessee. His profound desire to make EMS the best profession in healthcare comes through in podcast messages he has delivered, and conversations held.

Paul Roman, EMT (New Jersey)

Paul is an EMT with the New Jersey Department of Health Office of EMS, and Executive Director of the New Jersey EMT Registry. He has been a leader in educating government officials at all levels through letters, emails, and participation in advocacy groups hosted by NAEMT and other national organizations. As a prominent advocate at the state level, Paul is credited with the ability of translating key issues effectively to all groups. In several cases, Paul has become the go-to person for information on EMS and public health subjects. To communicate to the leaders in EMS and public health communities, he established several Google Groups and posted a range of pending legislation, regulation, articles of opinion, current research, and more to ensure that the group’s members were aware of the potential impact on EMS. Paul’s successes are numerous and have resulted in change or passage of legislation and regulations. He has been recognized by the New Jersey legislature for his work in national EMS development, and designated as a "Fellow" by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) International.

Brian Webb, NRP, MICP, FP-C, TP-C, Paramedic (Alaska)

Brian is the State EMS Training Coordinator for the State of Alaska Office of EMS. State Senator Josh Revak is one of his nominators with whom he’s worked closely to draft legislation favorable to EMS which passed both houses unanimously. Brian was also instrumental in educating legislators on the medical issues faced by emergency responders in Alaska, such as cancer in firefighters. He educated government leaders on the importance of unifying EMS under one regulatory authority and is an advocate of mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine to better serve the needs of rural Alaska. Brian has spent numerous hours coordinating discussions between new entities and diverse delivery models, and providing advice on what was required for EMS legislation to progress. His involvement has helped gain legislative traction when there was none previously. Making personal sacrifices, Brian has demonstrated “selfless service to a worthy mission,” said Sen. Revak.

Nominations for this award are evaluated on the extent to which the nominee effectively advocates for the passage of EMS legislation by:

• Educating elected government leaders at the local, state or federal levels on the components of the legislation and how it supports the ability of EMS to provide quality patient care.
• Building strong relationships with the elected officials and their staff who have influence over the passage of EMS legislation.
• Educating fellow EMS professionals about EMS legislation; how the legislation would impact the ability of EMS to provide quality patient care; the importance of advocating for the legislation; and how to effectively advocate.
• Engaging members of the EMS profession in advocacy activities in support of the legislation.

The 2022 EMS Advocate of the Year Award recipients are commended for their tremendous efforts to advance EMS care and sincerely thanked for their service to their communities, states and nation.