Joseph Zalkin, BSHS-EMC, Paramedic, FAEMS, is a North Carolina native who has been actively involved in advancing emergency medical care for over 40 years. As a proven leader and innovative problem solver, he challenged traditional practices and fostered relationships with providers, physicians, and regulators to drive positive change in the NC Emergency Medical Services system.

Joseph is the Executive Director of the Wake EMS Foundation, Inc., focusing on historical, educational, and research objectives for the Wake EMS System. He also serves as Project Lead for the NC Consortium Against Responder Violence, working to increase awareness and safety for EMS responders.

Throughout his career, Joseph has held various prominent positions and founded critical initiatives, such as the NC Ambulance Strike team/Medical Taskforce Program and the NC Ambulance Bus Consortium. He has presented at national conferences on topics including Crew Resource Management, Disaster Preparedness, and Customer Service.

Joseph Zalkin’s unwavering dedication to EMS advancement and responder safety has left a lasting impact on the field, making him a respected figure in the EMS community. His contributions continue to shape EMS practices and benefit communities across North Carolina.