VFRS-EMS162-1 Is it a full moon out tonight? Managing behavioral emergencies
Lead Instructor: Scott McCormack
Far too often EMS crews are dispatched on calls for psychiatric or behavioral problems. The number of incidences is increasing annually. While it is not possible for EMS providers to become counselors, it is important to be able to identify and manage a situation with a patient that is in crisis. What do we do after “BSI, scene safe”? This 1 hour course will help provider identify patient’s in crisis and provide them with assessment tools to improve patient care as well as maintaining safety. Diagnosing the cause of the behavior is not as important as being able to de-escalate a situation where violence and harm can be avoided.
Prerequisite: Participants must hold an active Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) certification
Location: The Inn at Virginia Tech - Solitude
Date: June 20, 2026 8:00 AM until 9:00 AM
CE: Cat 1 ALS Area 19 BLS Area 24
