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EMS2027: Congress Theme Announced

by EMS Press Officer

The theme for the 2027 European EMS Congress will be “Connecting Care Across Communities”

AS EMS professionals we care for our communities – urban or rural, young or old, whoever needs us. By connecting patients and families with emergency healthcare providers, EMS creates a seamless chain of support that strengthens communities.

It takes a system to save a life and no matter what role you play in the EMS system, you are also part of this unique community. We work together to help our patients and support each other. EMS professionals ensure that no one stands alone in their moment of need.

EMS Europe is proud to be part of the global EMS community. Together we are stronger. 

EMS2027 will explore how “connecting care across communities” involves technological advancement, innovation, sustainability, reactivity and human factors.

CongressPress Release

2027 European EMS Congress: Change of Date

by EMS Press Officer

EMS Europe announce a change of date for the forthcoming 2027 European EMS Congress in Ireland, following recent confirmation of a conflicting event taking place in the local area.

The congress will take place from Tuesday 13th April 2027 to Thursday 15th April 2027 at the Gleneagle Arena in Killarney, Ireland. The decision has been made to ensure delegates, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors can enjoy the best possible congress experience, with access to the full range of accommodation, hospitality, cultural and visitor opportunities the local area has to offer.

The revised timing will avoid a conflict with a large horse racing event and will help safeguard the quality of the delegate experience and support the availability of affordable accommodation options during the congress period.

Cathal O’Donnell, Chair of the 2027 Congress said: “Our priority is to give every delegate the best possible experience — not only through a high-quality scientific programme, but also through the opportunity to enjoy a rich cultural programme and everything the local area has to offer. Moving the date allows us to better support access to suitable and affordable accommodation, while ensuring delegates can make the most of their time in Killarney.”

Advantage Events appointed as Professional Congress Organiser

The organising committee are also pleased to announce the appointment of Advantage Events as the Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) for EMS2027. Advantage Events will work closely with the organising committee to support the planning, management and delivery of the congress, including delegate registration, logistics, accommodation support, sponsorship, exhibition arrangements and the overall delegate journey.

The congress website will launch soon and will provide further information on the revised dates, venue, registration, accommodation options, EMS Championship and opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors.

Further updates will be shared in due course. Delegates and stakeholders are encouraged to look out for the website launch and forthcoming announcements.

Media Contact

Sara Orritt, Communications and Events, EMS Europe
info@emseurope.org

Notes to Editors

EMS2027 is hosted by EMS Europe in local partnership with the National Ambulance Service of Ireland and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Kerry Convention Bureau. The 2025 European EMS Congress (EMS2025) was held in Stockholm and attracted more than 1200 delegates from 47 different countries. The 2027 European EMS Congress (EMS2027) will be held at the Gleneagle Killarney in Ireland. Killarney sits within 26000 acres of a beautiful National Park, which is home to lakes, mountains and castles. This charming and bustling Irish town is filled with independent hotels, restaurants, bars, boutiques and coffee shops. 

European EMS Leadership Forum

European EMS Leadership Forum: Programme Overview

by EMS Press Officer

Session 1 – Inspiration from Across Europe 

Session 1 brings together short, focused presentations from selected speakers on issues which facilitate learning for EMS services throughout Europe. Through concrete examples of service development, operational challenges and new models of care, the session is designed to spark discussion, reflection and exchange of practical ideas that participants can take back to their own organisations. 

Session 2 – EMS Resilience in a Changing World 

Session 2 focuses on the challenges and responsibilities facing EMS services in a rapidly changing security environment. With brief opening talks from expert speakers, the session will explore preparedness, resilience, cross-border collaboration and civil-military cooperation, before opening up for discussion on how European EMS leaders can adapt to new threat scenarios and strengthen their services for the future.

Session 3 – Reimagining EMS in Europe: Building the Future of Emergency Care 

The future of EMS in Europe offers a powerful opportunity to reshape and strengthen emergency patient care. By empowering people, harnessing new technologies, and embracing innovative care models, we can better meet the needs of patients, societies, and healthcare systems. In this session we invite experts to explore and challenge us on what this future could look like, identify the challenges that must be overcome, and propose practical strategies for building a more efficient, resilient, and patient-centred EMS system in Europe.  

Session 4 – A Call to Action for EMS Leadership 

In Session 4 we align our leadership by outlining a shared vision for EMS in Europe and beyond, translating this into a small number of clear, measurable priorities. By combining our strengths, openly sharing knowledge, and working to resolve problems collaboratively, we move from individual efforts to collective impact. The EMS Leadership Forum becomes powerful when we act as one network—collaborative, focused, and committed to delivering better outcomes together. 

Please note that the programme is still being finalised and is therefore subject to change.

Press Release

EMS Europe Announces the European EMS Leadership Forum 

by EMS Press Officer

EMS Europe is proud to announce the European EMS Leadership Forum. This exclusive event for Chief Executives and Chief Medical Officers across European Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the first of its kind, bringing together experienced leaders in EMS to share insights on system performance, clinical leadership, and the future of pre-hospital care.

The 24-hour event will feature a closed-door executive forum, peer-led discussion, and targeted briefings designed to support decision-making and collaboration across the EMS sector. Participation will be limited to enable candid conversation and the opportunity for peer-to-peer networking. 

While attendance at the event will initially be by invitation-only, EMS Europe is keen to hear from EMS directors and executive leaders who would be interested in attending future editions or receiving an invitation should additional places become available.

Executives who would like to register their interest can do so by completing an Expression of Interest form here. (Registered interest will be used solely for event communications.)

The programme will cover hot topics in EMS, including: management of capacity and demand, organisational culture, changes in technology and innovation in EMS. The sessions will also feature presentations from selected organisations and discussions on how EMS systems can better prepare for unprecedented challenges locally and in Europe.

The event will be held at Oslo airport and will run from 1200 on Thursday 24th September 2026 to 1200 on Friday 25thSeptember. Attendees will receive lunch on both days, plus a 3-course dinner with additional networking opportunities. 

Freddy Lippert, President of EMS Europe said “In 2016 the board of EMS Europe met for the first time. Over the past 10 years we have continued to collaborate closely together to share ideas, research and knowledge. Our leadership network has provided invaluable insights and enabled us to share our expertise through wars, pandemics and an evolving geo-political and social landscape. The challenges our systems face are not unique to our own countries, yet as leaders we rarely come together to learn from one another. This event will enable EMS Europe to facilitate these important conversations between systems, at the highest level.” 

“The Norwegian Air Ambulance in conjunction with the AmulanseForum is proud to co-host the first EMS Leadership Forum. We are looking forward to fostering collaboration across services and regions, learning from peers, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.” said Stephen Solid, Secretary General, The Norwegian Air Ambulance.

Event details
Event: EMS Europe Leadership Forum
Date: 1200 24th September to 1300 25th September
Location: Best Western Plus Hotel, Oslo Airport
Audience: Chief Executives and Chief Medical Officers in EMS (by invitation-only)
Participation Fee €100 per delegate
Hospitality provided: Lunch (24th & 25th September), 3-Course Dinner (24th September), Breakfast (25th September)
Not included: Travel, accommodation, alcoholic beverages

Notes to editors
1. Attendance is limited and subject to confirmation by the organiser.
2. Media are not expected to attend. If a media briefing is planned, details will be shared separately.

About EMS Europe
EMS Europe is focussed on sharing knowledge, research and best practice throughout Emergency Medical Systems in Europe and beyond. The board is formed of 13 members, each representing a different European country (including Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden and Finland). EMS Europe hosts an international congress every 2 years, with the next congress planned for 10-12th May 2027 in Ireland.

Media contact
Sara Orritt | Communications & Events
EMS Europe
sara.orritt@emseurope.org

News

International Nurses’ Day 2026

by EMS Press Officer

A note from EMS Board Member and Nurse, Jaap-Frank Ponstein:

Today, on International Nurses Day, we take a moment to recognise the people who make a difference in healthcare every single day, including those working in ambulance care.

Ambulance nurses in the Netherlands provide care not only in acute emergency situations, but also within low- and medium-complexity ambulance care. They visit people in their homes, provide medical assessment and treatment on scene, and support patients during vulnerable moments. Sometimes this means delivering life-saving care under intense pressure; at other times it means providing calm, reassurance and helping to prevent unnecessary follow-up care or hospital transport.

Dutch ambulance care is evolving from exclusively emergency response towards broader mobile network care, in which collaboration with general practitioners, community nursing teams, dispatch centres, hospitals and other healthcare partners is becoming increasingly important. Nurses play an indispensable role in this development. Professional expertise, collaboration and compassion come together in this profession every day.

Today, we express our appreciation for all nurses in the ambulance care, and for their colleagues, including dispatch centre professionals and ambulance drivers, who make this possible together every day!

Congress History

EMS2025 Stockholm

by EMS Press Officer

The European EMS Congress took place from 2-4 June 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The event was attended by over 1200 delegates from 47 Countries, across 5 continents. 

Last held in 2022, the 2025 event was a collaboration between EMS Europe and Region Stockholm with support from HLR Radet, AISAB and FLISA.

Under the EMS Europe ethos “It takes a system to save a life” the sub-theme for the 2025 congress was “Safety for our patients, our people and our communities.”

The congress opened with a keynote from Pelle Gustafson on Patient Safety. Other keynote sessions of importance were the WHO Framework for Emergency Patient Care and the Médecins Sans Frontières presentation on Healthcare in Conflicts, which received a standing ovation from those present. 

As ever, the congress supported an abstract competition which showcased over 190 posters. With a renewed focus on sustainability, this year the organisers switched to a digital poster format (using renewable energy) with individual poster presentations. 

The 2025 European EMS Championship featured a record 16 teams and showcased the diversity in EMS services globally, with 15 countries represented. After an exhaustive day of preliminaries, three teams were selected to progress to the live final: The EMS Capital Region DK Team (Denmark), Team Ijsselland (Netherlands) and the team from KAGes & Med Uni Graz (Austria). 

The Austrian team from KAGes & Med Uni Graz were the Judges’ winners of the championship, with Team Ijsselland taking second place. However, an audience vote was also held, and the winner was The EMS Capital Region DK Team from Denmark. 

The championship teams were celebrated in a prize giving ceremony at the Gala Dinner, held in Stockholm City Hall, which has played host to a number of prestigious events, but is most notable for being the venue in which the King of Sweden awards the Nobel Prizes annually. 

Day 3 featured the unique ‘EMS Labs’ and delegates were invited to choose between seven high-quality labs and workshops teaching critical thinking and practical skills. Subjects ranged from Maternity and Obstetric emergencies, to climate change and sustainability in EMS. 

The final day also saw the return of the innovative ‘EMS Talks’ session in which 10 speakers delivered a 5-minute ‘TED’ style talk to delegates. In 2025, an interactive element was introduced, whereby delegates could vote for their favourite EMS Talk. The winner was Anna Moe Øvstebø from Norway who delivered a short talk entitled ‘The CPR Guarantee Paradox’

Patrik Söderberg, Chief Medical Officer for Pre-Hospital Care in the Stockholm Region and board member for EMS Europe said “The EMS Congress has once again put the spotlight on pre-hospital care. The 2025 high-quality scientific program delivered unique opportunities for learning and collaboration. The congress provided a forum for a diverse range of healthcare professionals from around the world to come together to share ideas and best practice.”

Freddy Lippert, International Chief Medical Officer for Falck and board member for EMS Europe said, “EMS2025 built on the success of our previous congresses, delivering an unparalleled and unique learning experience for delegates, competitors and volunteers. The 2025 congress showcased high-quality scientific research and offered an international dialogue on emerging issues for emergency medical services and pre-hospital care. EMS Europe exists to share learning internationally. to advance the field of pre-hospital care and to improve patient outcomes and experience. We look forward to delivering more opportunities for learning in the future.”

With thanks to our sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers.

CongressPress Release

EMS Europe Announces 2027 Congress

by EMS Press Officer

EMS Europe has announced it will hold its next congress in Ireland in 2027.

Since their first event, held in Copenhagen in 2016, EMS Europe has travelled the continent to put the spotlight on prehospital emergency care. Next year’s congress in Ireland will offer unique opportunities for learning and collaboration with colleagues from around the world. 

EMS2027 offers a global forum for healthcare professionals to come together to share their latest research, best practices, and innovations in prehospital emergency care.

The congress will feature a variety of presentations, workshops, and increased networking opportunities. In addition to the scientific program, the social programme will have a unique Irish flavour. 

EMS2027 is hosted by EMS Europe, in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service of Ireland and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Kerry Convention Bureau.

Cathal O’Donnell, Clinical Director for the National Ambulance Service said: “We are thrilled to bring the European EMS Congress to Ireland for the first time.  EMS2027 promises to deliver an exciting scientific programme, surrounded by Ireland’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.”

EMS2027 will take place from Monday 10th May to Wednesday 12th May 2027 at the Gleneagle Killarney, Ireland. 

Killarney sits within 26000 acres of a beautiful National Park, which is home to lakes, mountains and castles. This charming and bustling Irish town is filled with independent hotels, restaurants, bars, boutiques and coffee shops. 

Early-bird tickets will be available online soon.

Notes for Editors

The European Association of EMS (known as EMS Europe) was established in May 2024.

EMS Europe: Freddy Lippert (Denmark), Cathal O’Donnell (Republic of Ireland), Fionna Moore MBE QAM (England, UK), James Ward (Scotland, UK), Stephen Sollid (Norway), Patrik Soderberg (Sweden), Kuisma Markku (Finland), Jaap-Frank Ponstein (Netherlands), Pierre Carli (France), Ervigio Corral Torres (Spain), Stefan Polocek (Germany), Mario Krammel (Austria)

EMS2025 was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 2025 and attracted over 1200 delegates from 47 countries. Previous congresses were held in Glasgow (2022), Madrid (2019) and Copenhagen (2016-2018).

News

EMS2025 Championship Final – Full Video

by EMS Press Officer

The EMS2025 Championship Final is now available to all to view on YouTube.

Watch as the teams from KAGes & Med Uni Graz (Austria), Capital Region Denmark and Ijsselland (Netherlands) compete in a complex and challenging scenario in front of a live audience.

WINNERS BELOW

The Judges placed the teams as follows:

1st: Team KAGes & Med Uni Graz
2nd: Team Ijsselland
3rd: The Team from the Capital Region, Denmark

The audience voted for the following team as their winner: The Team from the Capital Region, Denmark

With special thanks to AISAB and Laerdal for their support in running this event.

Mission Statement

EMS Europe – Future Vision 2030

by EMS Press Officer

Strategic Vision Statement 

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems are essential for providing immediate and life-saving care in times of crisis. In recent years, EMS has undergone significant advancements that have reshaped the way professionals respond to emergencies and safeguard community health. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the crucial role of EMS as frontline responders, rapidly adapting to new demands and taking on expanded responsibilities across healthcare settings. 

Meanwhile, emergency care across Europe faces mounting pressures: rising public expectations, aging populations with multiple complex conditions, workforce shortages, and a growing demand for urgent and unplanned care. These trends make it clear that the EMS systems of today must evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Re-imagining and reorganizing emergency care is no longer optional; it is essential for ensuring accessibility, quality, and long-term sustainability. 

By 2030, EMS Europe aims to be the unifying force behind a resilient, innovative, and people-centred emergency care ecosystem across Europe. We champion a future in which every community in Europe has timelyaccess to high-quality, evidence-based emergency care, regardless of geography, borders, or local capacity. 

We envision a European EMS landscape that is interoperable, digitally connected, and operationally prepared for both everyday emergencies and unexpected disruptions. Leveraging advanced technologies, real-time data exchange, telemedicine, AI-supported triage, remote monitoring, and hospital-level acute care at home—to shift EMS from a reactive service toward an integrated, proactive pillar of public health and community resilience. 

Close collaboration with international partners, including the Global Resuscitation Alliance (GRA), strengthens our mission. Together, we accelerate the adoption of best practices in resuscitation, out-of-hospital care, system improvement, and community engagement. These partnerships ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of evidence-based emergency care and continuous improvement. 

As cross-border cooperation grows in importance, EMS Europe leads the development of a shared emergency readiness framework that enables seamless coordination among EMS systems, hospitals, public health agencies, and other sectors. This includes common standards, joint training, interoperable communication systems, and collective preparedness for large-scale incidents, health emergencies, digital threats, and climate-related challenges. 

To fulfil this ambition, EMS Europe will establish a central organisational hub, functioning as a strong European organisation, effective in advocacy for all member countries and EMS organisations. From this central location, EMS Europe will provide: 

  • Dedicated committees and expert working groups operating on key themes such as dispatch standards, quality of care, innovation & technology, education & training, workforce well-being, data & benchmarking, and major-incident preparedness. 
  • Operational and strategic support units ensuring continuity, shared learning, and rapid knowledge transfer. 
  • A structured governance model that connects national EMS systems, strengthens collaboration, and ensures consistent quality and accountability across Europe. 
  • A platform for innovation that fosters development, testing, and scaling of new care models and technologies. 

At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to patients, communities, and the well-being of EMS professionals. We promote a culture grounded in ethical leadership, equity, diversity, and integrity. We invest in the mental and physical resilience of EMS staff, recognising them as indispensable guardians of community safety and public trust. 

By 2030, EMS Europe will serve as the authoritative voice shaping the future of emergency care across Europe, bridging nations, accelerating the adoption of best practices, and building systems that are agile, robust, and capable of safeguarding the lives of all people in Europe. United through shared standards, shared knowledge, shared leadership, and shared responsibility, we work toward a future where it truly takes a system to save a life; one European system, aligned, prepared, and strong. 

Congress

EMS2025: Photo Booth Downloads Now Available

by EMS Press Officer

Attendees at the 2025 European EMS Congress in Stockholm were able to commemorate their visit with the complimentary use of a photo booth.

The provider of the photo booth has now provided links from which delegates may download the photos they took while participating in the Congress and the Gala Dinner.

To download photo booth images from the congress, please click here.

To download photo booth images from the Gala Dinner, please click here.

(Please note that some images of other events have been included by error – please scroll down each page to reach the congress images.)

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