Honoring EMS Heroes Through Innovation

As we celebrate National EMS Week, a time to recognize the lifesaving contributions of emergency medical professionals, it’s also a moment to spotlight the innovations that are shaping the future of EMS education. One such advancement is the VRNA EMS by VRSim, which was recently featured on FOX61 in a segment highlighting its impact in real classrooms.

Real-World Skills Through Virtual Reality

In the interview, Matthew Wallace, CEO and President of VRSim, joined Chris DeRosa, EMT and Department Head of the Criminal Justice and Protective Services at Bullard-Havens Technical High School, to demonstrate how virtual reality (VR) is being used to train the next generation of EMTs. The goal: to better prepare students for the fast-paced, high-stakes situations they’ll face in the field — and to do it in a way that’s immersive, repeatable, and deeply engaging.

DeRosa, who brings frontline EMS experience to his teaching, shared how VRNA EMS is being used to simulate rare but critical events — like childbirth at home — giving students hands-on practice that previously was only possible during real emergencies. “By using the virtual reality, [and] doing the certification skills that we do, we prepare our students in our trade” DeRosa quipped during the segment. “They’re coming out with more skills and certifications than a 3 or 4 year firefighter would.”

Meeting the EMT Shortage with Scalable Solutions

Wallace emphasized that the development of VRSim’s EMS training system is not just about innovation for innovation’s sake — it’s about solving real problems. “It is about workforce development,” he explained. The United States is facing a documented shortage of EMTs and paramedics. Instructors, like DeRosa, are wrapping their arms around tools and resources that not only train but also recruit and excite new prospects about entering the field. 

VRNA EMS allows students to interact with virtual patients, assess injuries, and make rapid clinical decisions, all within a safe and controlled environment. For DeRosa’s students, it means developing confidence and clinical judgment early on — before they ever step foot in an ambulance.

A Perfect Fit for Today’s Learners

Younger generations are digital natives, comfortable with gaming, simulations, and technology-integrated learning. VRNA EMS meets them where they are — transforming passive learning into active problem-solving. In the FOX61 segment, viewers saw students at the school and working professionals on the job fully immersed in the VR experience, engaged and focused as they practiced emergency scenarios with lifelike intensity.

Celebrating National EMS Week: Technology Empowering Service

National EMS Week is not just a celebration of those who serve — it’s a reminder of our responsibility to support and sustain the EMS workforce. VRNA EMS is a perfect example of how we can do just that — empowering instructors, expanding access to quality training, and ultimately helping to save lives.

As we honor the dedication of EMTs, paramedics, and instructors like Chris DeRosa, we also celebrate the partnerships and technologies that are helping shape the future of emergency response.

Learn more about VRNA EMS and how you can bring cutting-edge simulation to your classroom or training center at www.vrna.net.