Chris Vernovai

Mr. Vernovai is the EMS Systems Planner for the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). A Nationally Registered Paramedic with over 34 years of experience in EMS and fire services, he has held leadership and educational roles in volunteer, career, and combination EMS systems across Connecticut, West Virginia, and Virginia. He also served as a Firefighter-Paramedic and Acting Assistant Chief with the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services. With more than 30 years in EMS education, Mr. Vernovai has worked as a classroom instructor, clinical educator, field training officer, and preceptor. He is a Virginia Education Coordinator and previously served as an active member of a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team. He was also the County EMS Coordinator for Highland County, Virginia, where he led the development of its rural EMS program. Since 2012, Mr. Vernovai has been involved with the State EMS Advisory Board’s Workforce Development Committee, the EMS Officer Workgroup, and the Standards of Excellence Workgroup. He currently serves as staff to these committees and manages the EMSO1 and CISM/Peer Support Accreditation Programs at Virginia OEMS.