The Virgin Islands Department of Health’s EMS for Children (ESMC) Program has received the 2026 Innovation Award from the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), in recognition of its groundbreaking Pediatric Disaster Initiative, a territorywide effort to strengthen preparedness for emergencies involving the youth population.
The Virgin Islands was recognized by NASEMSO for integrating pediatric considerations into every aspect of emergency medical services and disaster planning through new policies, provider training, community education, and multi-agency emergency exercises.
A centerpiece of the initiative was “Operation Guardian Angels,” a first-of-its-kind pediatric disaster preparedness exercise conducted on St. Thomas and St. Croix in March of this year.
The Department’s EMSC Program brought together government agencies, healthcare providers, emergency responders, public schools, and nonprofit organizations to improve coordinated response efforts involving children during disasters.
“This national recognition reflects our commitment to ensuring that every resident, including the youngest and most vulnerable, is protected before, during, and after an emergency,” said Justa Encarnacion, VI Health Commissioner. “When we prepare for a disaster, we have to plan for the unique needs of children, and this award recognizes the outstanding collaboration between departments, emergency responders, healthcare partners, and education administrators, who made this initiative a success.”
Commissioner Encarnacion added that, “We are very proud that the Virgin Islands is being recognized nationally for innovation and leadership in pediatric emergency preparedness. Congratulations to Ms. Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne for the success of the Virgin Islands EMSC program.”
According to NASEMSO, the Pediatric Disaster Initiative strengthened the Territory’s emergency response system by incorporating pediatric clinical protocols, standards of care, injury prevention activities, EMS education, and coordinated disaster planning into emergency preparedness efforts. The initiative also supported the development of a territorial Children and Families Disaster Communications Plan and helped agencies strengthen and align their emergency response plans through tabletop and full-scale exercises.
In addition to training emergency response partners, the EMSC Program expanded community outreach through pediatric preparedness education, disaster readiness resources for families, school engagement, and public awareness activities designed to help families better prepare for emergencies.
“This award belongs to every agency and every partner that embraced our vision of making children a priority in emergency preparedness,” said Ms. Greenidge-Payne, project director for the Virgin Islands EMSC Program. “Operation Guardian Angels demonstrated what can be accomplished when everyone works together. Planning, training, and exercising together before disasters occur, makes us stronger and a more resilient emergency response system for the children and families.”
The Department of Health extends its appreciation to the many agencies and organizations whose collaboration made the Pediatric Disaster Initiative possible. The exercise was designed by LIWI Group in collaboration with the department’s Public Health Preparedness Division and Territorial Office of EMS Regulatory-EMSC Program. Participating agencies and partners included Health’s divisions of Behavioral Health and Maternal Child Health, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands, VI Police Department, VI Rescue, the territorial hospitals, the University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing, healthcare partners and numerous community stakeholders committed to strengthening pediatric emergency preparedness throughout the Territory.
The National Association of State EMS Officials represents state, territorial, and tribal EMS agencies across the United States and recognizes excellence in emergency medical services through its annual State EMS Office Excellence Awards Program.
