Alabama EMS Conference

10/13/2026

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Dave Weber

We're excited to welcome Dave Weber as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!

Dave brings more than two decades of experience in emergency medicine, technical rescue, aviation operations, and professional education. His background includes serving as a Flight Paramedic and Hoist Rescuer with Intermountain Life Flight, working in mountain rescue operations with the National Park Service, and leading specialized rescue training programs.

He is also the owner of Mountain Rescue Collective, LLC, where he provides technical rescue training, program assessments, and operational consulting. Throughout his career, Dave has worked with teams operating in some of the most demanding environments, bringing a unique perspective on leadership, communication, and team performance.

Keynote Presentation:
Team Dynamics

What separates a high-performing team from an average one? It's more than clinical skills, experience, or individual talent.

Dave will explore the behaviors, individual skills, and team habits that contribute to effective teamwork, along with the challenges that can undermine even the strongest team cultures. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen collaboration, improve team performance, and build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/13/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Sharon Purdom

We're excited to welcome Sharon to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!

Sharon is a National Flight Nurse and Clinical Coach with Med-Trans Corporation, bringing more than 25 years of experience in critical care and flight nursing. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the air medical community and the clinicians who serve it.

Presentation:
When the Protocols End: Leading with Compassion After Tragedy

As emergency healthcare professionals, we train extensively to save lives, manage critical situations, and respond when every second matters. But what happens when there is nothing more medicine can do?

Through the story of a devastating tragedy, Sharon will explore the lasting impact of compassion, empathy, and simply being present for families experiencing unimaginable loss. She will also address the emotional toll these experiences place on healthcare professionals, including compassion fatigue, burnout, and the importance of caring for ourselves while continuing to care for others.

Sometimes, the most meaningful care we provide has nothing to do with a procedure or protocol.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/13/2026

CONFERENCE HOTEL DEADLINES ARE HERE!

Planning to attend the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference in Orange Beach? Don't miss the reservation deadlines for our conference hotels!

TODAY — October 13
SpringHill Suites by Marriott

TOMORROW — October 14
DoubleTree by Hilton – Island House Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

ADDITIONAL LODGING OPTION — WHARF CONDOS
The Wharf Condos is also offering special accommodations for conference attendees!
Stay five nights and receive two nights free with code EMS2Free, or stay four nights and receive one night free with code EMS4thFree. These offers are available for stays between November 13–23, 2026, with pricing inclusive of taxes and fees.

If you haven't secured your accommodations, now is the time! Reserve before the deadlines to take advantage of available conference rates.

Alabama EMS Conference 2026
Pre Conference: November 14–16
Main Conference: November 17–19

Travel Link:
https://www.alabamaemsconference.com/travel

10/11/2026

10/10/2026

35 DAYS UNTIL THE 2026 ALABAMA EMS CONFERENCE!

The countdown is officially on!

In just 35 days, pre conference education begins, followed by the main conference November 17–19 in Orange Beach, Alabama.

We're looking forward to welcoming EMS professionals from across the region for several days of education, networking, and celebrating excellence in EMS.

From pre conference courses and engaging speakers to our golf tournament, 5K, and Roaring Twenties Social & Awards Night, there's plenty to look forward to!

Pre Conference: November 14–16
Main Conference: November 17–19
Location: Orange Beach, Alabama

View the schedule and register at https://www.alabamaemsconference.com/

10/09/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Jennifer Bennett

We're excited to welcome Jennifer Bennett to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!

Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Alabama–Mississippi Chapter, where she leads initiatives focused on education, early detection, and support for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Presentation:
Recognizing Alzheimer’s in the Field: What First Responders Need to Know

Cognitive and behavioral changes can be difficult to assess in the field, particularly when dementia, depression, medical conditions, and crisis-related confusion may present similarly. Jennifer will help EMS and other first responders recognize important warning signs, better differentiate potential causes, and approach these patients with greater confidence.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies for providing patient-centered care, reducing risk, and helping connect patients and their families with appropriate resources.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/08/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Paul Kirby

We're excited to welcome Paul W. Kirby, MD to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!

Dr. Kirby is an Emergency Medicine physician and EMS Fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His work focuses on prehospital quality improvement, EMS system design, and strengthening collaboration between EMS agencies and hospitals to improve patient outcomes.

Presentation:
Building a Regional EMS Quality Framework: Early Outcomes from a Birmingham QI/QA Initiative
EMS agencies collect enormous amounts of data—but turning that data into meaningful improvements in patient care can be challenging. Dr. Kirby will share lessons from a regional QI/QA initiative developed in collaboration with BREMSS and Birmingham Fire and Rescue, including strategies for selecting meaningful metrics, connecting prehospital and hospital data, and closing the feedback loop with EMS clinicians.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can take back to their own agencies to strengthen quality improvement and turn data into better patient care.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/08/2026

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | KD Hill

We're excited to welcome KD Hill to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference as one of our Keynote Speakers!

KD Hill is a former Ole Miss football player and motivational speaker whose life changed following a devastating motor vehicle accident in July 2023. After sustaining life-threatening injuries and ultimately losing his right leg, KD transformed his experience into a new mission centered on resilience, faith, leadership, and helping others find purpose through adversity.

Presentation:
The UpHill Climb: The KD Hill Story

KD will share his personal journey from preparing for a potential professional football career to facing a life-changing injury and an entirely new future. Through his story, he will explore mental toughness, resilience, faith, purpose, and leadership through adversity while challenging attendees to consider how obstacles can become opportunities for growth.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/08/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Derek Collins

We're excited to welcome Derek Collins, MSN, RN, CFRN, TCRN, CTRN, C-NPT, CEN, NRP, FP-C to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!

Presentation:
Pediatric Diabetes and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Pediatric diabetes can quickly progress to a life-threatening emergency when early signs of decompensation are missed. Derek will review the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes in children, recognition of DKA, and the critical findings providers should identify during assessment. The session will also cover fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, electrolyte management, and monitoring for serious complications such as cerebral edema, with real-world cases focused on decision-making in the emergency and prehospital settings.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026

10/08/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | Michelle Kline

We're excited to welcome Michelle Kline, MSN, RN, NRP to the 2026 Alabama EMS Conference!
Michelle is a Flight Nurse/Paramedic with more than 20 years of experience in EMS and the creator of Fit for Flight, a program focused on mental resilience, nutrition, and physical readiness for prehospital clinicians.

Presentation:
True North: Professionalism in EMS

Professionalism in EMS is about more than clinical skills or how we act when someone is watching. Michelle will challenge providers to identify their personal “True North”—the internal standard that guides decision-making, work ethic, and character. This session will explore how integrity, accountability, communication, preparation, and personal ownership directly impact patient care, team culture, and the reputation of EMS as a profession.

Orange Beach, Alabama
November 17–19, 2026