2026 Classes

WEMSA 2026 is packed with learning opportunities designed for EMS providers, educators, managers, and leaders at every level. Our lineup features a diverse mix of clinical updates, skills workshops, leadership and management sessions, and specialized tracks that let you dive deeper into the areas that matter most to you. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your airway management skills, strengthen your leadership toolbox, explore new approaches to education, or stay up to date on the latest trends in EMS, you’ll find sessions that match your goals.

Pre-conference workshops (Feb 3 & 4) are priced individually, while main conference registration (Feb 5 - 7) includes access to all lectures and the Expo Hall. Register early to secure your spot as workshop seating is limited!

Name Time Speakers Track CAPCE Category Capacity More Info
8:00 AM
Finance, Billing & Reimbursement in EMS8:00 AM - 12:00 PMManagementOperations50
Happy Birthday Baby! Supporting Safe Birth & Infant Stabilization Workshop8:00 AM - 12:00 PMBLSMedical30
Human Anatomy Lab with Fetal Pig Dissection8:00 AM - 12:00 PMBLSMedical25
Ultrasound for EMS8:00 AM - 12:00 PMALSMedical36
9:00 AM
Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness9:00 AM - 12:00 PMBLSMedical30
12:00 PM
Lunch12:00 PM - 1:00 PM   
1:00 PM
Contracts, Collaboration & the Law - EMS Management Essentials1:00 PM - 5:00 PMManagementOperations50
Happy Birthday Baby! Supporting Safe Birth & Infant Stabilization Workshop1:00 PM - 5:00 PMBLSMedical30
Ultrasound for EMS1:00 PM - 5:00 PMALSMedical36
Airway Management: Tips, Tricks and Review1:00 PM - 5:00 PMBLSAirway25
Human Anatomy Lab with Fetal Pig Dissection1:00 PM - 5:00 PMBLSMedical25

Thank you to our 2026 education sponsors:

Price Name Time Speakers Track CAPCE Category Capacity More Info
8:00 AM
 9 Essential Exercises to Stay Strong and Injury-Free in EMS8:00 AM - 10:00 AMBLSMedical 
 Sort Them Out: SALT Triage in an MCI8:00 AM - 10:00 AMBLSTrauma 
 Essentials in Procedural Skills in Pediatric care8:00 AM - 10:00 AMBLSMedical40
 Your EMS Message: Speaking, Reporting, and Advocating with Impact8:00 AM - 12:00 PMManagementOperations50
 Mechanical Ventilation Workshop8:00 AM - 4:00 PMCritical CareAirway40
10:15 AM
 Healing Moral Injury and Trauma in Emergency Responders through Expressive Arts and Somatic Integration10:15 AM - 12:15 PMBLSMedical 
 Facilitator Development Roadmap10:15 AM - 12:15 PMEducatorsOperations 
 Essentials in Procedural Skills in Pediatric care10:15 AM - 12:15 PMBLSMedical40
12:00 PM
 Lunch12:00 PM - 12:45 PM   
12:45 PM
 Caring for Special People: Unique Situations in EMS12:45 PM - 1:45 PMALSMedical40
 Achieving Excellence Through Compliance12:45 PM - 4:15 PMManagementOperations50
$50.00Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Crisis: Assessment and Intervention12:45 PM - 4:45 PMBLSMedical50
 Airway Management: Tips, Tricks and Review12:45 PM - 4:45 PMBLSAirway25
2:00 PM
 Medication Math Made Easy: Calculations That Can Save a Life2:00 PM - 4:00 PMALSMedical30
4:00 PM
 Expo Hall Open4:00 PM - 5:30 PMEvents  

Opening Keynote
Lead From Where You Stand: How Everyday Choices Create Culture, SPark Connection, and Bring Joy Back to the Workplace

The Opening Keynote will begin with a procession from a Wisconsin EMS Honor Guard, followed by a quick introduction to the Conference from our Executive Director, Alan DeYoung. He will give some important updates and notes regarding the schedule, events, and the expo hall. Then, we will hear from our opening keynote speakers, Courtney Hull & Jeremy Blair. Read the description of their keynote below:

In a field where lives can change in an instant, it’s easy to feel like you're constantly reacting — to calls, protocols, and pressures outside your control. But real leadership doesn’t require a title or a promotion. It starts with owning your impact — and recognizing that everyday choices, even small ones, can shape culture, spark connection, and bring joy back to the work. Whether you're a career medic or a volunteer, brand new or decades in, this keynote challenges the belief that burnout, frustration, and turnover are just part of the job. Through real stories, science-backed insight, and a little humor, we’ll explore how showing up with intention and presence — even in the chaos — is one of the most powerful forms of leadership available. We’ll dig into how purpose and human connection fuel retention, satisfaction, and staying power. And we’ll look at how our brains respond to things like trust, laughter, belonging, and micro-moments — the natural highs (hello dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin) that help us thrive in this high-stakes profession. Expect to leave recharged, reminded of what matters, and ready to lead — right where you are.

Courtney Hull
Plugged In, LLC

Courtney Hull is the Associate Dean of Fire/EMS Training at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and the founder of Plugged In, LLC, a company focused on leadership development, communication, and connection in high-stakes environments. A former career Firefighter/AEMT, Courtney transitioned to Fire/EMS education full time in 2010 after teaching part-time since 2007. She holds a master’s degree in Training & Development and is passionate about shaping the future of emergency services through inclusive, high-quality education.

As a classroom leader, Courtney is known for building strong relationships with students, designing creative, engaging lessons that proactively manage classroom dynamics, and providing holistic support to increase student success. Her leadership style is driven by her CliftonStrengths of Learner, Developer, and Relator—she’s energized by helping people grow, learn, and connect with purpose.

Courtney’s strategic mindset shines in her ability to rally teams around a shared vision, foster inclusive and engaged cultures, and generate fresh, effective solutions to stubborn challenges. Whether in a classroom, firehouse, or boardroom, she’s committed to developing resilient, high-performing teams that thrive under pressure.

Jeremy Blair
Plugged In, LLC

Jeremy Blair is a career Battalion Chief with the City of Wauwatosa Fire Department and a seasoned Fire/EMS Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, where he has been preparing the next generation of firefighters for state certification and real-world service. With 29 years of experience in fire and emergency services, Jeremy brings a grounded, real-talk approach to leadership, communication, and personal development.

A dedicated mentor and motivator, Jeremy thrives in every setting—whether leading crews in the firehouse, instructing in the classroom, or presenting in front of a professional audience. He is known for creating learning environments that are practical, engaging, and growth-focused, blending high standards with high support. His leadership is anchored in clear direction, accountability, meaningful feedback, and a deep commitment to helping others reach their potential.

8:00 AM
Keynote
 
Lead From Where You Stand: How Everyday Choices Create Culture, Spark Connection, and Bring Joy Back to the Workplace
 
9:00 AM
Events
 
Expo Hall Open
 
9:15 AM
 
 
Expo Hall Break
 
9:45 AM
ALS
 
Complex Overdoses: Beyond Narcan
 
BLS
 
Diabetes 101: Diabetes for the 911 Provider
 
BLS
 
Fundamentals in Rural Pediatric Trauma
 
Educators
 
Integrating AI in EMS Training and Education
 
Management
 
Adjust your Lens: The Leadership Blind Spots That Keep Us from Seeing (and Serving) Clearly
 
11:00 AM
ALS
 
Beyond the Dart: Mastering Needle Thoracostomy for Optimal Outcomes
 
BLS
 
Choking on the Truth: The EMS Role Identifying Strangulation in Domestic Violence
 
BLS
 
How to Become a Professional Pickup Artist
 
Educators
 
Enhancing your Continuing Education Program – An Instructors Guide
 
Management
 
Grant Writing 101
 
12:00 PM
 
 
Lunch
 
1:15 PM
ALS
 
Critical Circulation: EMS Essentials for Cardiogenic Shock
 
BLS
 
ECG Basics for Basics
 
BLS
 
See Something, Say Something - Be an Advocate
 
Educators
 
From Feedback to Growth: Providing Effective Feedback that Drives Success
 
Management
 
Recipe for Whole Blood in Your Agency: What EMS Docs, a Paramedic, and Blood Bank Director can Offer for a Successful Role out in any Size System
 
2:30 PM
ALS
 
At the Intersection of Hospice and EMS
 
BLS
 
Pediatric Pain Management - Preshospital Assessment, Recognition, & Treatment
 
BLS
 
Russian Roulette – The American Way
 
Educators
 
People Before Protocols: Building Relationships That Stick (So Learning Does Too)
 
Management
 
Real-Time, Real Lives: A Multi-City Model for Patient Tracking and Safety During Major Presidential Conventions
 
4:00 PM
Keynote
 
Anatomy of an infant PNB: Critical dissection from 911 call to debrief
 

afternoon Keynote
Anatomy of an infant PNB: Critical dissection from 911 call to debrief

Infant pulseless non-breathers (PNB) are among the most high-stakes and emotionally challenging calls an EMS provider may face. This lecture will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to respond with confidence and precision. Through evidence-based guidance, attendees will learn the most common causes of infant PNB, how to prepare effectively before the call, and the critical first steps in assessment and intervention. The session will also highlight proven measures to improve survival outcomes, giving providers practical tools to make a lifesaving difference when every second counts. Whether you’re new to pediatrics or looking to sharpen your skills, this course will help you feel more prepared, capable, and confident the next time you encounter one of these difficult scenarios.

Dr. Michael Kim is an academic pediatric emergency physician passionate and driven to improve care for children in the emergency department and prehospital arenas. As the co-chair of WI EMSC, pediatric medical director for UW EMS Consortium of Dane County EMS, and UW Department of Emergency Medicine Section of EMS, he looks forward to assisting all emergency care providers in Wisconsin in providing the best care for sick and injured children.

Dr. Michael Kim
Co-Chair & Medical Advisor, Wisconsin EMS for Children

Morning keynote
Sanctuary Trauma – When You’re Stuck Between the Rig and a Hard Place

This session explores sanctuary trauma—what happens when trusted systems like the department or the home become sources of psychological harm instead of safety. We’ll examine how moral injury, institutional betrayal, and strained personal relationships impact mental health and long-term functioning for EMS professionals. Attendees will gain practical tools to identify sanctuary trauma, advocate for cultural change, and foster safer spaces within leadership and peer dynamics. With real-world insight and trauma-informed strategies, this session offers both validation and action for those stuck in the middle.

Nikki Hensler Gordon
Licensed Trauma Therapist & EMDR Consultant
Perspectives Consulting/Iron Star Peer Support & Resiliency

Nikki Hensler Gordon is a licensed professional counselor, certified EMDR clinician, and certified crisis interventionist with over a decade of experience specializing in trauma, moral injury, and institutional betrayal. She is the founder of Perspectives Consulting LLC and Iron Star Peer Support & Resiliency, where she provides clinical therapy, expert evaluations, and training programs tailored to the unique needs of EMS, fire, and military personnel. As both a clinician and EMS spouse, Nikki brings cultural competence, clinical depth, and lived understanding to every training she delivers.

Tim Lorenz
Critical Care Transport RN, Flight RN, US Army Combat Medic (Ret)
Perspectives Consulting/Iron Star Peer Support & Resiliency

Tim Lorenz is an Army veteran, ED/ICU/Flight Registered Nurse, and Critical Care Paramedic with nearly two decades of civilian EMS experience. He began his medical career in 2000 as a U.S. Army Combat Medic, earning his EMT-Basic certification during his service. After transitioning to civilian life, Tim entered EMS in 2006 as a first responder and became a paramedic in 2008. Since then, Tim has built a career spanning emergency medical services, critical care, and nursing. He currently serves as a Critical Care Transport RN with extensive experience in prehospital medicine, hospital-based care, and critical care/flight transport. Tim is also the Program Coordinator and public face of Iron Star Peer Support and Resiliency, an initiative dedicated to strengthening responder wellness, reducing stigma, and building sustainable support systems for EMS providers, firefighters, law enforcement, and veterans. With a professional background that bridges military medicine, civilian EMS, and nursing practice, Tim brings a unique dual perspective to both patient care and provider wellbeing.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Keynote
 
Sanctuary Trauma – When You’re Stuck Between the Rig and a Hard Place
 
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
 
 
Expo Hall Break
 
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Events
 
Expo Hall Open
 
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
ALS
 
The Tachycardias
 
BLS
 
To Breathe to Breathe… Hands on? Or Hands Free? What does the evidence say it should be?
 
BLS
 
Clinical Clues for Critical Thinking: Tracking Down the Differential Diagnosis
 
Management
 
Advanced Documentation Efficiency for EMS Clinicians
 
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
ALS
 
From Chaos to Coordination: The Pit Crew Method for Traumatic Arrest
 
BLS
 
How to be a stroke super hero 2.0
 
BLS
 
Top 10+ things a rural provider should know about caring for burn injuries
 
Management
 
Grant Writing 202
 
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
 
 
Lunch
 
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
ALS
 
It’s not a STEMI, but… Four not-to-be-missed 12-Lead ECG patterns
 
BLS
 
Addressing Falls Through Coordinated Collaboration with Emergency Medical Services
 
BLS
 
Does this Patient have Ketoacidosis or Not?
 
Management
 
Prepared and Ready for the Expected
 
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
ALS
 
Help! I'm in Labor!
 
BLS
 
Basic Cardiac Screening for Rural First Responders
 
BLS
 
Red Lights, Rotors, and Reflection: Unconscious Bias in Public Safety
 
Management
 
Beyond Patient Care: Harnessing AI to Revolutionize EMS Operations
 
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
 
 
Expo Hall Break
 
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Keynote
 
It Made Me Cry
 
6:00 PM - 7:20 PM
Events
 
Dinner & Pictures for Awardees
 
7:45 PM - 11:30 PM
Events
 
Wild West Night at WEMSA - 2026 Attendee Party 🤠
 

afternoon keynote:
it made me cry

This is a series of stories about rescue encounters that made me cry. I vividly explore the circumstances surrounding these events and the lasting impact each has made. I also relate my sense that we (rescue personnel) aren’t expected to cry. Eventually, we investigate the physiological factors that are in play, what happens when we fail to express or admit that some events are overwhelming, how to support our patients, their families, ourselves and our colleagues in these circumstances. We move on to the impact of these events on those we are charged with helping, strategies for helping them, strategies for developing our own resilience, and the need to support each other. Note: I will likely cry during this presentation. Additionally, I may describe events that may overwhelm or stress the attendee. The attendee should feel free to excuse themselves from the presentation, if necessary. Bring tissues. I know I’m bringing tissues.

David Brenner
Paramedic/ Firefighter & Medical Education Consultant

David Brenner has been providing advanced life support as a member of the Holbrook Fire Department since 1979. He continues to provide active service and leadership as the ex-Captain of the medical company. Mr. Brenner has provided instruction in EMS since 1981 teaching EMT, EMT-Critical Care for Suffolk County EMS and as a full professor at Suffolk County Community College.  Since 2010, he has been instructing at LaGuardia Community College in the EMT and Paramedic programs. Mr. Brenner is a Paramedic, Certified Instructor/Coordinator, Regional Faculty, and Instructor of ACLS, PALS, CPR, PHTLS, AMLS, GEMS, PTEP, and EMS Safety.

Mr. Brenner serves as New York State regional faculty in both Suffolk County and New York City, training EMS providers to be instructors. Mr. Brenner also served as a member and chair of the Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services Council charged with oversight and guidance for the region. Mr. Brenner reports that his involvement in the development of the new NAEMT course, Psychological Trauma in EMS Patients (PTEP), has been one of the most rewarding and practice-changing endeavors in his career. He is also the author of his 12-Lead ECG Made Clear and Simple Lecture and Practice course.   He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and strategies with other EMS professionals.

8:00 AM
ALS
 
Bizarre and Unusual Trauma 2026
 
BLS
 
“Who’s your PAPPA?” Rapid recognition of high acuity emergencies presenting with chest pain for BLS providers.
 
Management
 
Stage Presence on Scene: How Theater and Public Speaking Skills Can Transform EMS Communication and Leadership
 
9:15 AM
ALS
 
Device Demystification: Demystifying implantable pacemakers and defibrillators for EMS
 
BLS
 
That @#$%! ePCR Documentation! How to incorporate documentation into the choreography of every call and create cohesive patient care reports that won’t get flagged!
 
Management
 
When Systems Collide: Bridging EMS and Hospital Command During Crisis
 
10:45 AM
ALS
 
Patient Centered Airway Management - Don't be the Airway Icarus
 
BLS
 
EMS and Mandated Reporting, Red Flags in the Field: Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect of Children and the Elderly
 
Management
 
Direct Line to Medical Direction: A Panel Discussion from the Board of the Wisconsin Chapter of NAEMSP
 
12:00 PM
Keynote
 
Autism and EMS Response: Answering the call without causing more trauma!
 

Closing keynote
Autism and EMS Response: Answering the call without causing more trauma!

Snaith, a Critical Care Paramedic and Medic Training Officer at Medic EMS of Scott County, is both a healthcare professional and a parent of two autistic children, Gracie (12) and Christian (7). In 2019, Snaith and his family launched the ASD Sensory Project at Medic EMS after recognizing the need to better educate healthcare providers about autism and reduce the risk of meltdowns and severe stimming during EMS or healthcare encounters. Together with his wife, Elizabeth (a Behavioral Health Specialist) they developed this presentation to blend personal experience with professional expertise. Drawing on both perspectives, they aim to help EMS providers deliver care that is less traumatizing for individuals with autism and sensory disorders. This session provides education from a parent’s viewpoint, enhanced by professional insights into best practices for care. Participants will view videos offering a perspective on what it is like to experience autism, along with live demonstrations of effective de-escalation techniques. The project’s mission is to ensure that individuals with autism receive compassionate, supportive EMS care that avoids turning emergencies into lasting traumas. Since its launch, the ASD Sensory Project has trained EMS personnel across Iowa and has been featured at events such as the Southeast Iowa EMS Conference and the IEMSA Conference in 2025. Through this program, the family continues to advocate for quality care that addresses sensory, emotional, and communication challenges in emergency settings.

Thank you to our 2026 education sponsors: