A New Organization Promotes Excellence in EMS Education and Advocacy: The New Jersey Association of EMS Educators

The New Jersey Association of EMS Educators (NJAEMSE) is a new professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in EMS education and training in New Jersey. Founded in 2023 by experienced EMS educators, NJAEMSE has quickly grown to include members from all over the state of New Jersey, representing a variety of EMS provider levels and specialties.

The organization's mission is to provide high-quality professional development opportunities and resources for EMS educators and to advocate for the continued improvement of EMS education and patient care both in New Jersey and nationally.Officers for the organization include President Kevin Kurzweil, Vice President Michale Tarrantino, Secretary Russel Stuart, and Treasurer Dirk McKinney.

In a recent interview, EMS World met with Kevin Kurzweil and Board of Directors member Evan Holtz to hear their insights on EMS education and the inspiration behind the formation of NJAEMSE and its mission.

"While there have been several previous attempts to bring together EMS educators across the state in the past, teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of collaborating on ways to keep educational programs going and the benefits of having an open dialogue and sharing resources," Kurzweil explains. "These informal meetings throughout the pandemic made us realize that having a professional organization was the obvious next step."

"There are so many innovative things being done in EMS education throughout the state, but the ability to communicate these initiatives was lacking," Holtz adds. "Our mission was to create a space where educators could not only work together but have a united voice on changes that could benefit our profession and ultimately patient care."

NJAEMSE is already making a significant impact on the EMS education landscape in New Jersey. The organization has recently announced its plan to create committees and working groups amongst its members that will explore ways to create shared resources, best practices, and student outcomes that can be implemented statewide.

In addition, NJAEMSE is offering a variety of professional development opportunities and resources to EMS educators in the state, including in-person and online workshops, symposiums, and networking events.  They have a website at www.njaemse.org

NJAEMSE is also playing an essential role in advocating for the improvement of EMS education and patient care in New Jersey and is getting noticed. Recently, the organization has been invited to speak at the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Service's listening sessions for creating the new educational and operational regulations that will be rolling out shortly in the state.  Following these sessions, the membership at the time met and issued a position statement highlighting the changes we would like to see made.

NJAEMSE is also collaborating with other organizations, such as the EMS Fellowship Program from RWJBarnabas Health's Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.  This partnership with EMS physicians and EMS field response physicians will allow for greater coordination and access to research.  An additional partnership with vendor Laerdal Medical is another connection to cutting-edge materials and simulators.

The NJAEMSE values compassion and seeks to create a safe environment for educators to ask questions and seek guidance. Evan noted, "We know it's impossible to be an expert on everything, and this group offers a safe space for educators to turn to when they need answers." In the future, they plan to integrate compassion into EMS curriculums.

Kurzweil and Holtz are excited about the future of NJAEMSE. They believe that the organization has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of EMS educators and providers in New Jersey.  "We are committed to providing our members with the resources and support they need to succeed," Kevin said. "We also believe that by working together, we can make a positive impact on the quality of EMS education and patient care in our state."

Highlights from the Inaugural Conference

On September 13th, 2023, NJAEMSE held its inaugural conference at the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office in a remarkable conference facility.   The event was a huge success, with over 100 EMS educators from across the state attending and learning from the four keynote speakers.

The conference featured a variety of presentations on topics such as simulation, virtual reality training,  engaging strategies for teaching adults, teaching with technology and AI, and EMS law. Attendees also could network with other educators and learn about the latest resources and innovations in EMS education. 

"It was incredible to have educators from across the state in person together for an event specifically tailored to them," Kurzweil said. "The help we received from Monmouth County Sheriff's Office who hosted the event showed our members the support our mission has from public stakeholders outside of EMS. Holtz added, "Apart from the incredible presentations by our keynote speakers, all experts in their fields, we got to see the importance of networking and that we all benefit if we unite to work on projects together. We hope the days of recreating the wheel will soon be gone, and that time can be reinvested in educating the next generation of prehospital providers."

Next Steps

Kurzweil and Holtz are excited about the future of NJAEMSE and have several initiatives planned for the next year.

"For 2024, we plan to relaunch the New Jersey Resuscitation Academy, expand upon our professional development and networking opportunities, and create a pathway for our EMT and paramedic programs to work together more closely," Kurzweil said.

Holtz added, "We hope that through these initiatives we will be able to create open access resources for our educators to bring into their classrooms or clinical environments, ensuring program graduates have equal learning experiences regardless of which program they choose to attend.”  "

Final Thoughts

The New Jersey Association of EMS Educators is a valuable resource for EMS educators and providers in New Jersey. The organization is committed to promoting excellence in EMS education and training and advocating for the continued improvement of EMS education and patient care.  The NJAEMSE is looking for others to “Join the Movement” they have started.  To those interested in joining the mission, Kurzweil and Holtz encourage a visit to njaemse.org/membership. Additionally,  for educators in other states seeking to initiate a similar association, extend a welcoming hand, inviting inquiries at info@najemse.org.

In a profession where sometimes every second counts, the NJAEMSE is stitching together the fabric of excellence in EMS education, ensuring that those who answer the call of duty are well-prepared, compassionate, and ready to make a difference when it matters most.

Interview conducted with:

Kevin Kurzweil, BS, MICP, EMT-I, CHSE, CHSOS – President, NJAEMSE

Evan Holtz, BSN, RN, EMT-I, NCEE, CHSE, CHSOS – Board Member NJAEMSE

Barry Bachenheimer, Ed.D, NREMT/FF has been a career educator, administrator, and EMS provider for 37 years.  He is a frequent contributor to EMS World.