Nero’s Law

The Nero's Law administrative requirement was updated by OEMS on 11/27/23. The training deadline for currently certified technicians working for ambulance services is still 2/10/24. Language was added for newly certified and/or hired technicians after the 2/10/24 date to be able to work in the field with the didactic training only with completion of the practical training within 1 year. Here is a link to the updated version: A/R 2-270 (updated 11/27/23)

Practical Training Sessions for Fiscal Year 2026:

WMEMS in partnership with Community 9-1-1 Training is hosting one Nero's Law Practical Training Day for this fiscal year (as of now). This will be held at Baystate Health's Education Center, 361 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke on Saturday, 11/8/25, and will have three separate sessions, beginning at 9 AM (with registration opening at 8:30 AM).

Per the Veterinarians guidelines, the sessions can only hold so many participants, so once the sessions reach that point, that session will be CLOSED. NO EXCEPTIONS. As there is no longer any grant money covering the cost for the Veterinarianians, Vet Techs and K9 Handlers, Western Mass EMS must charge a fee of $30.00 per person to cover our expenses for the training.

There will be no refunds in the event you are unable to attend the class. If you have any
questions, please contact lherringshaw@wmems.org. If a department wants to sign up multiple people and
would like to be invoiced directly please send Lisa Herringshaw an email requesting promo codes for your staff so they can bypass the payment section during registration.

For the 9 AM to 10:30 AM session: (click this link to sign-up for 9am to 10:30am).

For the 11 AM to 12:30 PM session: (click this link to sign-up for 11am to 12:30pm).

For the 1 PM to 2:30 PM session: (click this link to sign-up for 1pm to 2:30pm).

All practical session attendees MUST bring proof of completed didactic training to be admitted to class. These will be the only practical sessions hosted by WMEMS this fiscal year. Agencies can hold their own sessions if they can coordinate qualified instructors per A/R 2-270 and WMEMS has equipment avaiable for loan towards that purpose.

update 9/25/25 ONLINE DIDACTIC TRAINING is available! Region 2 is hosting the training video on their Learning Management System.

Here is the link to register: On-Line Didactic Nero Training Training is free but you must use this key below to register:

Reg1WMA-Nero (note, this Key is for Region 1 EMTs only. Outside Region 1 consult your Regional Office)

This program is approved for 1.5 hours EMS credit; you will receive a certificate of completion at program conclusion

We have training equipment to loan at no cost! Thanks to funding from the Western Regional Homeland Security Council, we have the following equipment available for REGION 1 agencies to borrow:

12 Canine CPR manikins
3 Advanced canine manikins
12 practice muzzles
12 canine oxygen masks
12 canine tourniquets

Call our office 413-586-6065 to reserve. There is no cost to borrow this equipment, provided it is returned in good condition.

Agencies can begin providing K-9 care as soon as staff is trained and any required equipment is stocked.

All EMTs working for ambulance services are required to have initial training and then refresher training (didactic only) every 2 years. If the agency has a waiver from OEMS to not participate in the K9 Program, staff is not required to attend training.

EMTs who do not work for ambulance services are not required to have the training and are encouraged to step back and allow those who must have it as part of their work responsibilities to have first availability.

Agencies can apply for a waiver by writing a letter to the OEMS Director. The letter must include justification based on the wording in the Law " "The department may grant a waiver from this section if the department determines that compliance poses a safety risk to the public." We suggest that an example of 'safety risk' might include extremely long transport times to POE-designated veterinarian services with limited mutual aid available.

Required Documents:

Administrative Requirement 2-270: Requirements for Police Dog Treatment and Transport for EMS

K-9 Care Protocols BLS Only

K-9 Point Of Entry Plan

Decontamination and Sanitization

Administrative Requirement 5-401K9: BLS Equipment List for Police Dog Care