Governor Meyer Recognizes National EMS Week and Celebrates EMS 'State Office of the Year' Achievement

DOVER, Del. (May 19, 2025) – Governor Matt Meyer presented a proclamation for National EMS Week this week (May 19-24, 2025) today, recognizing the vital contributions of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals. The event, held at Kent County EMS in Dover, highlighted the dedication and service of EMS providers across the state.

During the ceremony, Governor Meyer met with officials from the Office of EMS (OEMS) under the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and Kent County EMS to express gratitude for their tireless efforts in responding to emergencies and safeguarding public health. In addition to the proclamation, Governor Meyer announced that OEMS was the recipient of the “State EMS Office of the Year” award by the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), for “demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation and measurable impact across all facets of EMS system development, coordination and oversight.”

OEMS and the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission also earned an Honorable Mention for the Data-Driven Excellence Award for “demonstrating exceptional use of data and analytics to drive system improvement, policy decisions, or public transparency.” Both awards honor the Office of EMS and its partners for their exceptional service and commitment to Delaware residents.

“EMS professionals are the backbone of our emergency response system, providing critical care when it is needed most,” said Governor Meyer. “This proclamation is a small token of our immense gratitude for their unwavering dedication to the health and safety of our communities.”

The event was attended by DPH Director Steven Blessing, EMS officials, and other dignitaries, underscoring the importance of collaboration in public safety.

About NASEMSO

The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) is the permanent national leadership organization that supports, equips, and advocates for state, territorial, and tribal EMS officials in their work to improve systems of care and the professionals operating in them. It was established in 1980 with the purpose to:

• Plan for and to promote the orderly development of EMS systems across the nation;
• Develop broad policies in order to ease interstate cooperation;
• Promote uniform quality of care for critically ill and injured patients by developing and maintaining national standards and criteria;
• Provide a forum for the purpose of exchanging information and discussing problems;
• Provide continuing educational opportunities for the membership, and
• Support the ongoing development of emergency medical services systems, by working with state and national government agencies, professional organizations and other interested parties. 

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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.