BREMSS was chosen as the Mitretek / Harvard Innovations Award for Homeland Security in 2006.
 
The Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System was selected as the winner of the prestigious Mitretek Innovations Award in Homeland Security as announced by Mitretek Systems and the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard’s prestigious John F. Kennedy School.  The Award was bestowed in Birmingham, Alabama, at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) by Mitretek President and CEO Dr. Lydia Thomas and Director of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance, Dr. Gowher Rizvi.
 
In making the award presentation, Dr. Thomas said, “We at Mitretek are proud to recognize the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System as the winner of a rigorous national competition of good ideas and innovation in homeland security.  This award program is about discovering and sharing great ideas from around the country and learning how they are put into action.”
 
Then UAB President Dr. Carol Z. Garrison said, “BREMSS represents not only a unique system of emergency medical care in the state of Alabama, but now is recognized as a model for the rest of the nation.  We are proud that UAB plays a major role in the system’s development and that its concept will be extended.”