NREMT Founder Rocco Morando Passes Away at Age 95

A painting of Rocco Morando.
Rocco Morando (Image/National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians)

Rocco Morando, the founder and first executive director of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, died Tuesday surrounded by his family, the organization announced.

He was 95.

Morando was selected as the National Registry’s executive director in 1971 and held that position for nearly two decades. Morando oversaw many accomplishments during his tenure, including:

  • The first basic NREMT-A examination administered simultaneously to 1,520 ambulance personnel at 51 test sites throughout the United States (1971);
  • The first recertification of Nationally Registered EMTs based on re-evaluation of skills (1973);
  • The development of the first national paramedic curriculum in conjunction with leading EMS agencies and the University of Pittsburgh (1976-77);
  • The first NREMT-Paramedic examination (1978);
  • And the development of the first NREMT-Intermediate curriculum and examination (1980). 

Morando retired from the organization in 1988. The National Registry’s headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, was renamed in his honor the same year.

The Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a lifetime of commitment, contributions and leadership to EMS and is presented by the National Association of EMTs and is sponsored by the National Registry.

“Rocco Morando was a luminary in the EMS profession and was instrumental in helping shape the lifesaving system we know today,” said NREMT Executive Director Bill Seifarth. “His legacy will continue to provide inspiration for years to come, and we are grateful for his contributions.”

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