NAEMT’s EMS Advocate of the Year is a national award to recognize EMS professionals who voluntarily engage in grassroots advocacy efforts to advance EMS through legislation or regulation at the federal, state, or local level. Awardees may be any EMS professional; nominations must be submitted by U.S.-based NAEMT members. Professional lobbyists are not eligible. Previous recipients cannot receive the award more than once in the same category.

The 2026 nomination period will be open from December 17, 2025 through January 15, 2026. Up to three individual award recipients may be selected. Recipients will receive national recognition and NAEMT-funded travel, hotel, and registration to participate in EMS on the Hill Day, where the award will be presented. All nominations received will be evaluated based on the nominee’s grassroots efforts over the past year to advocate for EMS at the federal, state, or local level, including: building strong relationships with elected officials and their staff; educating elected officials on EMS and current legislation or regulation; educating fellow EMS professionals about EMS legislation or regulation and how to become advocates; and encouraging others in the EMS profession to engage in grassroots advocacy activities in support of current legislation or regulation.

>>SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION HERE<<