The Oregon EMS Conference has been the premier conference for prehospital providers in Oregon since 1991.

Our focus and mission is Excellence in Education for providers within Oregon and the Northwest. 

History

The Oregon EMS Conference began in 1974 Skip Kirkwood, who was the State EMS manager, and David Long, the Director of the Oregon Training Education Research Foundation (OTREF), together they founded the Oregon EMS Conference more than 31 years ago.  The two believed in the importance of holding an annual EMS Conference to ensure rural providers of Oregon had access to excellence in prehospital training.  The first Conference was held in the Portland area in 1992.  This Conference included the first EMS and Trauma Office’s Awards Banquet.

Attendees from Alaska, Washington, California, and Idaho regularly attend this event.  Our Conference features renowned national speakers and local experts from Oregon. The conference committee comprises volunteers from across the state, including Community Colleges, Hospitals, EMS providers, private and public EMS systems, vendors, and other allied healthcare professionals.

A New Chapter for the Oregon EMS Conference

In 2022, the Oregon EMS Conference transitioned from operating under the nonprofit umbrella of OTREF to becoming part of the Oregon EMS Association (OREMSA). This shift ushered in a new era of leadership and collaboration with OREMSA.

In 2025, the conference took another major step by applying for its own nonprofit status—solidifying its commitment to long-term growth and independence. Since 2024, we’ve also moved to a new venue to better serve EMS professionals across Oregon while keeping the event accessible and affordable.

We’re always looking for passionate individuals to help shape the future of the conference. If you're interested in joining our team, please submit an interest email through our contact page and we will reach out.