NREMT Announces Interim Executive Director

COLUMBUS, OH—The board of directors of the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) announced July 28 the appointment of seasoned national EMS leader and former NREMT Board Chair Drew Dawson as interim executive director, following notification of the pending resignation of current Executive Director Severo Rodriguez.

Dawson, retired director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of EMS, will begin work with the National Registry immediately, and will assume full responsibilities as interim executive director Sept. 1. Debbi Cason, chair of the NREMT Board of Directors, stated, “We are excited that Mr. Dawson, an accomplished and respected national EMS leader, will be joining us in fulfilling our mission as the Nation’s EMS certification. The NREMT Board of Directors is delighted to work with him again.”

Executive Director Severo Rodriguez notified NREMT that he is resigning effective Sept. 1. After 5 years of a very demanding schedule, Rodriguez will be taking time off and then pursuing other interests, according to NREMT. The executive committee and board thanked Severo for his efforts and service on behalf of the NREMT. He will be assisting the Registry in transitioning until his resignation takes effect.

“We will work to complete that search as quickly as possible while maintaining our focus on identifying an outstanding executive director for NREMT," Cason said. The NREMT will immediately begin a nationwide search for an executive director led by Dr. Bob Swor, with other members of the board of directors. "The National Registry’s national certification and program activities will continue uninterrupted while the advertising and selection is underway," Cason said.

Dawson, a Montana native and University of North Dakota graduate, was a volunteer EMT and director of a volunteer ambulance service for over three decades. He served as Montana’s State EMS Director for over 20 years and as president of the National Association of State EMS Directors.

In 2003 Dawson transitioned from Montana to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Washington, DC, where he oversaw the Office of Emergency Medical Services and led the development and implementation of many national EMS programs and activities. Dawson retired from federal service in October 2015.

Dawson has received numerous awards for his service to the EMS community, including the Rocco V. Morando Award for Lifetime Achievement in EMS (NAEMT and NREMT); the American College of Emergency Physicians, Outstanding Contribution in EMS; International Association of EMS Chiefs, Eagles Award; National Association of EMS Educators Lifetime Achievement Award; American Academy of Pediatrics, Meritorious Contributions to the Health and Well Being of Children, Youth and Families; and the National Association of EMS Physicians' Ronald D. Stewart Award for Outstanding Contributions to Prehospital Emergency Care.

The mission of NREMT is to serve as the national EMS certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status.