[1] Virginia beach EMS has also been a leader in a variety of pre-hospital technologies including 12-lead transmission,EZ-IO technology and therapeutic hypothermia,rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII),video laryngoscope,end tidal CO2 monitoring,S T Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Stroke programs and community CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR),among others.
[2] Beginning in the 1940s, the need for consistent pre-hospital care became apparent and independent rescue squads began providing coverage to various neighborhoods throughout the city.
[3] For example, in 1951 a car accident at 24th and Atlantic left a woman without care for more than an hour because the Fire Department's ambulance was out of service and the Army Base Fort Story was reluctant to respond to civilians, promoting the formation of the Princess Anne-Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, Inc. to ensure consistent ambulance coverage for oceanfront residents and visitors.
[4] By 1972, the Emergency Coronary Care Program evolved to provide the first all volunteer Advanced Life Support EMS in the United States.
[3] Through the 1990s, an increase in call volume and decrease in amount of volunteer Advance Life Support providers necessitated the Division of EMS to hire full-time paramedics to supplement staffing.
Volunteer ALS providers can staff any and all units, including zone cars and ambulances at the need of staffing upon release from the Department of EMS and the medical director.
VBFD gradually took over firefighting operations beginning in the 1970s from the volunteers when area call volumes exceeded the capabilities and staffing of the departments.
Ambulances still respond to all rescue calls, including confirmed structure fires, hazardous materials, vehicle accidents, etc.
Virginia Beach Department of EMS is in charge of all initial and most continuing education training, though some rescue squads offer CEs to their members.
After a minimum time and requirements set by both the member's rescue squad and the Division of EMS, including usually 2–3 years with no detrimental history, application for Advance Life Support training can be submitted.
The only program of its kind in the nation, a dedicated state inter-agency radio channel is obtained by Virginia Beach EMS and used for public safety members to contact Santa Claus, radio call sign "North Pole 1," and allows children who are involved at an emergency scene some comfort for the holiday by talking with Santa.
The program is open for use by local agencies, including Virginia Beach EMS and its rescue squads, U.S. Navy, Fire, State Police and others.
According to the American College of Surgeons, "Civilians need basic training in bleeding control principles so they are able to provide immediate, frontline aid until first responders are able to take over care of an injured person.
[10] Bruce Nedelka and Kevin Lipscomb were hired on as Division Chiefs to round out the Senior Leadership team at the end of the year.
In 2004, recognizing the ever increasing demand for 24/7 Advanced Life Support and the need for consistent operational oversight, the department hired the first career paramedics and supervisors in the city's history.
Within minutes of the first report, ambulances were staged at the Courthouse fire station and multiple units including ambulances and EMS vehicles from Norfolk, U.S. military bases and other local areas were backfilling Virginia Beach EMS stations along with initiation of a Mass Casualty Incident.
[12] After the shooting, Virginia Beach EMS along with local organizations offered support and counselling to volunteer and paid staff.
Today, the Virginia Beach EMS department offers training on their response to new members as well as local public safety agencies to share lessons learned.
Past and current innovative technologies utilized have included: Rapid Sequence Induction programs for qualified paramedics, therapeutic hypothermia, CPAP, surgical airways, BLS 12-lead EKG acquisition and transmission, Transport ventilators, Video Laryngoscope, EZ-IO drills for intraosseous access, BLS Narcan administration, Electronic EtCO2, Public access defibrillators, Mobile data terminals, Community vaccinations, STEMI programs, Medical friendly shelters, Community CPR classes.
[2][21] Virginia Beach EMS and several of the rescue squads have been featured in popular media, including news reports, documentaries and others.