Request your EMSC Day proclamations today!

Part of National EMS Week, EMSC Day is coming up on May 21, 2025 – it's never too early to start planning! Learn how to request an EMSC Day proclamation from your city or state here. (Remember, submission can require 30-60 days’ notice.) Stay tuned to our website for details on EMSC events and resources to help you celebrate EMS clinicians in your area!



Fourth learning module for ED PECCs focuses on safety

Establishing pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) in EDs and EMS agencies is considered the single most important driver for Pediatric Readiness. A new, fourth module in a learning series for ED PECCs is now available. Released just in time for Patient Safety Awareness Week March 9-15, the module covers the PECC role in ensuring pediatric patient and medication safety.

Also available are new flyers that provide an overview of the PECC role in EMS agencies and in EDs.

Study further validates PECARN rule on blunt torso trauma

A new study from UC Davis School of Medicine looked at a rule created by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) that helps providers identify children with blunt torso injuries who are at very low risk for serious internal injuries. The rule has already been shown to help providers figure out when a CT scan isn't needed. However, the risk associated with only one or two of the rule's variables was previously unclear. This research found very low risk with one or two variables, further confirming the PECARN rule is accurate and can help doctors reduce unnecessary radiation exposure. You can read the full study or access the rule on MDCalc.

Florida bill on Pediatric Readiness advances

New Florida legislation, CS/HB 1119: Health Care Patient Protection, focuses on promoting Pediatric Readiness in EDs to ensure children get the care they need. The Florida House Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to advance the bill in early March, with its next stop being the House floor. The bill would require EDs to follow key National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) recommendations, including designating a pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC); participating in the NPRP Assessment; and having assessment scores reported to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. Read about the bill.

State Spotlight: Advancing excellence in Delaware through simulation and collaboration

Pediatric simulation is vital for effectively equipping clinicians to handle pediatric emergencies. We spoke with Maria Carmen G. Diaz, ​​MD, FAAP, FACEP, chair of the EMSC Advisory Committee of Delaware and medical director of simulation at Nemours Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), about how NICE is partnering with Delaware EMSC. Read more.

Children’s hospitals: Assess your disaster preparedness

The Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) is launching the Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Self-Assessment for Children’s Hospitals (PDPACH). This initiative aims to establish a baseline of pediatric disaster and emergency preparedness across U.S. children’s hospitals, identify strengths and gaps, and track progress over time. Benefits of participation include access to benchmarking data. Learn more.

EMSC manager wins award

Congratulations to Katelyn Dabhi, MS, CHES, Florida EMSC manager and 2024 EMSC fellow, for receiving the 2025 Superior Accomplishment Awards from the University of Florida. The program honors faculty and staff for exceptional service, efficiency, or impact on the quality of life for students and employees. Winners are nominated by supervisors, peers, or customers, with strong letters of support. Learn more about Florida EMSC here.

FAN Feature: The benefits of engaging families in research publications

We sat down with Sara Mullins, BSME, CFEI, IAAI-FIT, FF/EMT, the Family Advisory Network (FAN) representative for Colorado, who coauthored the recently published paper, “Supporting Children’s Mental Health Needs in Disasters” in Pediatrics. The paper delves into the mental health challenges children face during and after disasters and the critical role families play in supporting their well-being. Read more.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Did you know April is Child Abuse Awareness Month? One in four children in the United States are abused or neglected, and 18% of these children experience physical abuse. EMSC’s Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK): Child Abuse can help hospital and prehospital practitioners, identify and manage children with suspected physical abuse. PEAK: Child Abuse includes bottom-line recommendations, a simulation kit, podcasts, a learning module, and more. All resources are free and open access. View the resources here.