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Conference 2026 Pre-Conference Workshops

NCEMSF is pleased to offer Pre-Conference Workshops as part of the 33rd Annual Conference. These workshops offer a chance to go in-depth on a specific topic, and will be held on Friday, February 20. Registration will be limited to those who are also attending the full Conference. Links to register for a Pre-Conference Workshop will show once you have registered for the Conference and your payment has been processed. The following course descriptions and prices are provided for your planning purposes, but are subject to change. Additional courses may be listed at a later date. NCEMSF reserves the right to cancel a course or tour due to either low registration or if the hosting venue becomes unavailable. Listed times do not include any travel to off-site locations. 

DC Fire Department Fireboat Tour

Friday, February 20, from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm (exact times TBD)

Logo for the DC Fireboat station (circular). The words District of Columbia are along the top of the logo, and Fireboat is along the bottom. Inside is a smaller circle ringed by a braided rope, depicting the DC flag as the background (two red horizontal stripes below three red five-pointed stars), and in the foreground is an anchor with rope attached and encircling its main body and two lower arms). The text Established 1905 is present in white on the right side of the upper of the two red stripes in the DC flag.

Experience one of the most unique units in the nation’s fire and EMS service with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department’s Fireboat Unit. Operating from the DC Public Safety Pier alongside the MPD Harbor Division, the Fireboat team deploys six specialized vessels for marine firefighting, water and dive rescue, submerged vehicle recovery, hazmat mitigation, and full ALS EMS response on the Potomac River, Washington Channel, and Anacostia River. Attendees will see Fireboat 1, The John Glenn—a historic 70-foot fireboat with a 7,000 GPM capacity recently returned to service in April 2025—as well as the high-speed Willard Marine Fireboat 2 and a rapid-deployment Zodiac rescue craft. Members of this unit also played a key role in the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision recovery efforts under icy conditions. This immersive experience includes crew walkthroughs, live demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes discussions with Fireboat and Dive Team members, offering a rare opportunity for collegiate EMS leaders to explore advanced water-based rescue and response operations.

Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to this location (about a 45 minute train ride or 15 minute drive or ride share from the hotel). Exact transportation details will be provided by Thursday, February 19. 

This tour does not provide additional CE. 

Cost: $15

Class Size: 15 students maximum

US Park Police Aviation Division Tour

Friday, February 20, from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm (exact times TBD)

A US Park Police helicopter (blue, with white belly and main rotor engine compartment) hovering over a grassy field in a park. In the background are trees. To the right in the foreground is a white ambulance with two lower red stripes, the text District of Columbia Fire and EMS Unit above and below a graphic of a US flag, and the blue star of life emblem.

Experience a rare behind-the-scenes visit to the United States Park Police (USPP) Aviation Division, one of the most respected and historic public safety aviation units in the country. Established in 1973 and headquartered at the famed "Eagle’s Nest" in Anacostia Park, the USPP Aviation Unit operates a fleet of Bell 412 and Bell 206L-3 helicopters to support the National Capital Region. A core mission of the unit is emergency medical evacuation (medevac), with aircraft crewed by a pilot and a nationally registered paramedic, allowing for advanced medical care to be initiated in the air. In addition to medevac services for Washington, DC and surrounding jurisdictions, the unit supports law enforcement aviation, search and rescue, high-risk prisoner transport, and Presidential and dignitary security, and regularly provides mutual aid to agencies in Maryland and Northern Virginia. During this exclusive tour, attendees will see the aircraft up close, learn about flight crew roles and aviation medicine, explore mission and medical equipment, and gain insight into how airborne assets integrate into large-scale emergency response—offering an unforgettable perspective for future EMS and public safety leaders.

Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to this location (about a 15 minute drive or ride share from the hotel; public transit not recommended). Exact transportation details will be provided by Thursday, February 19.

This tour does not provide additional CE. 

Cost: $15

Class Size: 25 students maximum 

Arlington County Fire Department Station Tour

Friday, February 20, from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm (exact times TBD)

Arlington County Fire Department patch. The patch has a red background with two-tone black and gold border. The word Arlington is across the top and Virginia is across the bottom. In the center is a grey Maltese Cross, with the word Fire in the top section, EMS in the lower section, EST. in the left section, 1940 in the right section, and a stylized emblem in the center consisting of a fire helmet superimposed over a ladder, hook, and speaking trumpet.

Tour an Arlington County Fire Department Firehouse! Arlington County has 400 firefighters, 9 Fire Stations, 9 Engines, 2 Trucks, 9 Ambulances and 2 Rescues, responding to 15,000 EMS responses per year. It is the lead agency for responding to the Pentagon, and was the lead agency responding to the 9/11 attacks.

Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to this location, so please allow extra time before the scheduled start time listed above. Exact transportation details will be provided by Thursday, February 19. 

This tour does not provide additional CE. 

Cost: $15

Class Size: 20 students maximum

GW CLASS Simulation Center Tour and Class

Friday, February 20, from 12:45 pm to 3:00 pm (exact times TBD)

Four students in white coats stand around a patient. The student on the left watches with a stethoscope around his neck as the other three hold a bag-valve-mask device to a simulated patient's face and provide positive-pressure ventilation.

Tour a leading healthcare simulation center at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences then take part in a variety of simulations run by CLASS (Clinical Learning and Simulation Skills) Center staff using cutting edge simulators. The CLASS Center is a 17,000 sq foot state-of-the-art sim center with a procedural skills lab, 2 operating rooms, 2 high fidelity rooms, a labor and delivery suite. Come learn about why simulation is key to EMS and healthcare provider education and training, and how simulation improves patient safety and improves provider skill, teamwork and communication. 

Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to this location (about a 30 minute train ride or 15 minute drive or ride share from the hotel). Exact transportation details will be provided by Thursday, February 19. 

Additional CE credit will be provided. 

Cost: $15

Class Size: 30 students maximum 

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