CoAEMSP News | June 2025

Kathryn Crawford’s Changing Role at CoAEMSP

Kathryn Crawford’s role at CoAEMSP will be changing as she and her family prepare to relocate to Japan as part of her husband’s military service. She will take a leave from the organization beginning later this month and will return in September, once she has settled in Japan. 

After Friday, June 20, please redirect your inquiries to Lisa Collard. Click here for more details on this transition.

CoAEMSP Believes in Evidence-based Decision-making

CoAEMSP believes in evidence-based decision-making, particularly in the accreditation process. That’s why we developed two new resources for the field:

• 2-page summary of recent data regarding efforts to increase the paramedic workforce.

• Research Library with snapshot summaries of the latest research conducted on the value of accreditation and efforts to strengthen the EMS workforce.

We are excited to share these resources with our programs and partners, and we will continue to update the Research Library with the latest data.

CoAEMSP Board of Directors Elects Dr. Adrienne Kramer to Board of Directors

The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) Board of Directors voted on May 1, 2025, to elect Dr. Adrienne Kramer to the board as a representative of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Dr. Kramer will fill the recently vacated seat previously held by Thomas Breyer, MSHS, NRP, for the remainder of 2022-2025 term.

Adrienne Kramer, PhD, PMP, is deputy director of fire and EMS operations at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), where she leads a team of GIS and data analysts to build tools and products that support fire department operations and emergency management efforts. The IAFF sponsors Dr. Kramer on the CoAEMSP Board.  

“Adrienne will be a terrific addition to the board,” said Dr. Michael J. Souter, CoAEMSP board chair. “She brings a wealth of knowledge to our work and we are grateful for her willingness to serve.”

“I am passionate about ensuring quality education is available for dedicated students who are committed to serving their communities,” said Dr. Kramer. “Accreditation validates that appropriate programs and supportive resources are being offered to create an environment in which students can succeed.”

The CoAEMSP Board of Directors expressed its gratitude to Mr. Breyer for his six years of service. “Thomas is a passionate advocate for quality education and we are grateful for his many contributions to CoAEMSP and the EMS field,” said Dr. Souter.  

Webinar on Wednesday, June 18 at 1 PM Central

XR & AI in Simulation with Rob Theriault

There are two technological tsunami events that have hit the shorelines of education and are merging in a manner that will transform how students learn and how learning is assessed. These two waves, XR (virtual, mixed, and augmented reality) and AI, are enabling students to learn experientially in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. Rob will share his vision of how XR and AI will reduce teacher workload and enhance performance and safety.

Rob Theriault is the Immersive Technology Manager for Georgian College. After introducing virtual reality into the paramedic program and helping to create a VR hub in the library, Rob was asked to lead the exploration and integration of VR for Georgian College’s seven campuses. With XR integrated into curricula in multiple programs and exploration occurring in over 20 other programs with close to 400 VR headsets, Georgian has become a global leader in the XR space.

Rob has a Master of Educational Technology (M.E.T.) from the University of British Columbia. He is a published author, researcher, blogger, podcaster, and the recipient of the Virtual World Society’s Nextant Educator Prize as a global thought leader in the XR space.

CoAEMSP Board Meeting Highlights

The CoAEMSP Board met May 1-2, 2025.

Read the highlights from the board meeting here.

In case you missed it!

Information Worth Repeating

Distance Education: Methods of delivering education continue to evolve, and the restrictions caused by the pandemic ushered in convenient ways to interact with students. 

CoAEMSP 2023-2024 Annual Report: This document is published yearly, providing the public with an overview of the CoAEMSP’s activities for the previous fiscal year.

Clarifying Certification, Accreditation, Licensure, and Interstate Mobility For EMS Clinicians: A joint position paper by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry), the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), and the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (EMS Compact).

Annual Fees Now Due

We are working diligently with all programs to streamline payment processes and ensure Annual Accreditation Fees are processed on time. As an ongoing proactive effort for this year’s Annual Accreditation Fee cycle, we encourage electronic payment/ACH. This will establish your program to send electronic payments for all future invoices, avoiding the costs of sending paper checks and eliminating the incurrence of Additional Processing Fees (APF), which removes important instructional funds for educating AEMTs and paramedics when needed more than ever. As a reminder, credit cards are now accepted! 

Have questions or need assistance establishing an ACH transaction with CoAEMSP? Please email Michelle Esquivel with any questions regarding invoicing or payments.

Program Directors Focus Group (PDFG) 2025-2026

The Program Directors Focus Group (PDFG) provides expertise and insights to the CoAEMSP Board of Directors, especially relating to day-to-day operational aspects of CAAHEP accredited and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) paramedic programs.

The PDFG was launched in May 2023, building on several listening sessions and town hall conversations hosted by CoAEMSP in 2022 to collect feedback on ways to improve services.

The 24 members of the PDFG represent a broad cross-section of the nation and paramedic education institutions. Four members are from each NASEMSO Region—East, South, Great Lakes, Western Plains, and West—and four are at-large members.

Members of the group are volunteers and serve for one year. The PDFG is not a governing body, does not set policy, and does not participate in accreditation decisions.

CoAEMSP posts summaries of the PDFG quarterly meetings here.

A full list of the 2025-26 PDFG is available here.

Register Now!

Fundamentals of Accreditation Workshop for the EMS Professions presented by CoAEMSP

September 30-October 1, 2025

Minneapolis/St. Paul

Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport

Bloomington, MN

day 1: 8:00a-5:00p

day 2: 8:00a-12:00p

This workshop is designed to educate participants on the CAAHEP Standards and the accreditation process, enhancing the accreditation knowledge of the program faculty. Through expert presentations and interactive group learning activities, the workshop will provide best practices for avoiding common stumbling blocks.

Register for the workshop here. Registration fee is $495. Payment is made with credit or debit card through PayPal, a PayPal account is not required.

Registration closes on September 16 or when capacity is full, whichever comes first.

Reserve your hotel room here -or- call 952-854-1000 or 1-800-Embassy. The Group Code is CES92X.

The sleeping room rate is $179++ per night.

Last day to reserve a room is September 8.

What is included with the registration fee?

• Breakfast and beverage breaks each day
• Lunch on day 1
• Complimentary shuttle from the MSP airport

Questions? Please email jennifer@coaemsp.org.

Click here for future dates for this workshop.