Strategies to elevate paramedic safety, wellness, career development and operations
The state of the industry EMS Trend Survey explores issues tied to provider recruitment and retention; safety, health and wellness support; technology adoption; and career development, produced in partnership with Fitch & Associates and the National EMS Management Association.
EMS TREND REPORT
ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY
Cold showers offer a powerful and accessible tool for medics to combat stress, boost resilience and cultivate mental clarity
Who could use a little more sleep?
Insufficient sleep impacts decision-making, wellness and risk-taking, putting providers and patients at risk
Transitioning to a healthcare system that embraces and reimburses community-based EMS care
Colorado Springs, Sacramento and Richmond: Integrating analytics into decision-making to enhance patient outcomes, personnel support and sustainable operations
Takeaways from the First CMS Data Collection Report on Ambulance Services to enhance service levels and reduce costs of service delivery
Community collaboration, harm reduction models and policy changes can ease the burden on EMS workers and improve patient outcomes
The EMS Leadership Academy highlights the urgent need to address funding, career pathways and wellness support
An explainer and action plan based on the Consensus Statement of NAEMSP, IAFF and IACP
What CoAEMSP has learned about EMS student attrition and retention
Wellness programs and sleep interventions can ease burnout and improve job satisfaction
Fitch & Associates and EMS1 break down trends in staffing, operations and career longevity
Adapting to growth and changing demands with innovative community partnerships
Carly Strong, COO, SEMSA/Riggs Ambulance: “Take every opportunity’
Practice self-care and do the work on the front end so you have more to give on the back end
Highlighting a joint statement from EMS associations, Chief Brian Schaeffer argues for a shift towards broader, evidence-based performance metrics to enhance EMS quality and effectiveness
“Most likely, you know at least one caregiver who is struggling, but you’re reluctant to act”
Identify and aid team members facing depression, burnout or compassion fatigue to foster an emotionally safe organizational environment
Prioritize your wellbeing to pave the way for sustained healthy living
Achieve peak performance through foam-rolling, active warm-ups, deadlifts, functional dumbbell exercises, and high-intensity interval training
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Upcoming changes to TPS and DACA programs could impact EMS professionals across the U.S.
Through a partnership with the Girl Scouts of America, Camp Fury is igniting a passion for public safety and emergency services among young girls
Stay interviews help employees feel valued, respected and supported, improving their engagement and motivation
Early career exposure can make or break future career choices; here’s how one agency is fostering school-age children’s interest in an emergency services career
Paramedic chiefs and EMS leaders need to set shift length based on call demand, available personnel, equipment supply and time on task
Six different career ladders with compensation and rank based on experience, higher education and specialized training improves retention
Avoid these mistakes to onboard EMTs who will thrive in EMS, and give their all to your agency
EMS Chief Peggy Fonseca was fired due to budget overages and personally responding to calls
There is no substitute for high-context communications and training that occurs between two people, engaging privately, face-to-face
Is building a new kind of clinician merely a Herculean task or a fully Sisyphean one?
3 steps to stop staffing problem solving and start reinventing your agency
Creating a mindset to achieve diverse, equitable and inclusive hiring practices
Industry leaders weigh in on celebrating EMS Week amidst the forces shaping the EMS landscape
Agencies and government officials must evaluate performance expectations and funding to determine appropriate EMS delivery models
Dispelling generational myths and clarifying the root of workforce personnel differences
The EMS industry research has spoken: tradition and old cultural norms and beliefs don’t apply to the evolution of EMS today
A national survey reveals EMS economic and operations redesigns that would have been considered heresy just years ago
A state grant will fully fund training for 10 licensed paramedics for Rapid Response EMS
EMS leaders gather on our Congressional leaders’ turf to advocate for EMS
While the concept has been around for decades, it’s the buzzy term that’s prompted the recent focus on this approach to work
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Marking anniversaries, like 9/11, is important for honoring those experiences and carrying forward the lessons learned
Guidance for managing the emotions associated with the anniversaries of traumatic incidents
Here are five ways EMS is leading the way and doing more to prevent death by suicide
Collaboration between EMS and community resources is key to creating a stronger network of mental health crisis response
Dive into a curated collection of must-read public safety books, from thrilling accounts and leadership lessons from the front lines, to read-aloud children’s favorites
Honor the sacrifices and the legacy left by 9/11 responders by marking the anniversary with community service, education and self-care
Mislabeling public safety K9s creates confusion, liability and access issues during high-stakes deployments
From paddleboarding and kayaking to fishing in remote areas, discover the gear, training and self-defense strategies outdoor enthusiasts need to stay safe on the water
“If you’re reading this and you’re close to your own breaking point, hear me”
Insulated, smart, and high-capacity bottles designed to help first responders beat dehydration on shift and beyond
With the right investment and buy-in, mentorship programs can facilitate skill development, career advancement and improve provider retention
I lived to retire from the ambulance company
Discover key findings from Florida’s largest EMS survey, highlighting job satisfaction issues, retention risks, and the urgent need for system-wide support and leadership reform
Medics weigh in on how skilled nursing facility policies and staffing gaps overburden EMS and the ED
No family should have to wonder whether their loved one might still be alive if an ambulance had arrived sooner
The 2025 CoAEMSP survey underscores a critical need for systemic improvement in how paramedic education programs access and utilize clinical and field resources
Statewide data reveals a 42% increase in pediatric suicide and self-harm related calls, prompting new protocols and provider support initiatives
Summer is great for a lot of activities, but sometimes the heat can put a damper on your workout ambitions
From post-9/11 to post-COVID, EMS leaders reflect on systemic cracks — and what must happen now to rebuild a future that works for patients and providers
Learn how one Florida agency is leveling up employee satisfaction through flexible scheduling, rapid EMR onboarding, and a smart tiered response system
LEADERSHIP
A model for personal and professional growth
It’s hard to sit back and watch when so much work needs to be done, but your team needs stability, not more chaos
Laysha Ward teaches public safety leaders how to reframe life experiences into leadership superpowers, develop connection currency and align work-life goals for sustainable success
Despite CMS’s comprehensive cost findings, MedPAC’s selective data edits paint a distorted picture — risking the financial future of thousands of ambulance services
If you’re tired of a toxic culture, this episode lays out a blueprint for EMS agency growth
Naperville’s CART program showcases savings and patient-centered care, diverts hundreds from ED
Explore the latest Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System findings and what they mean for EMS funding, reimbursement rates, and advocacy in 2025
Union pressures mayor as investment in equipment outpaces investment in people
When intentions don’t match actions, trust and morale suffer. Learn how to lead with purpose, awareness and genuine presence
Your pay, your role and your resources are on the line; here’s what EMS leaders are fighting for now
If you’ve ever worked tired, driven drowsy, or taken one shift too many, this one’s for you
These sources of start-up and long-term funding can help launch and provide economic sustainability for mobile integrated health care
State EMS Director Joe Schmider on how Texas’ data-driven plan brought in 10,915 new providers
A unified effort among EMS agencies, hospitals and aviation units ensures faster, lifesaving treatment
Lee County EMS Division Chief Adam Thompson shares insights on Just Culture and the importance of investing in people to create a thriving workforce
“You can’t oversee EMS medicine from behind a desk.” With a full-time medical director, providers gain a mentor, coach and advocate.
With call volumes up 55%, Walla Walla shifts to local funding to add EMTs and paramedics
From jumping in the field to empowering crews in decision-making, Chief Nicholas Oleck fosters accountability and camaraderie in his department
Vague definitions and enforcement challenges raise concerns about how a new law will function in real-world emergencies, leaving providers to navigate gray areas under pressure
Know the newest fire- and EMS-related laws
Opportunities for OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard to improve EMS safety
Alan Cowen, fire deputy chief (ret.) Los Angeles City Fire Department, reflects on leadership lessons
From avoiding critical errors to fostering trust, discover 5 actionable strategies to master active listening to deliver better care
Discover practical strategies for public safety leaders to stay grounded, manage stress and inspire their teams during life’s toughest challenges
Here are books for grant writers looking to hone their craft
ABOUT THE SPONSOR: PULSARA
Pulsara is the healthcare communications and logistics platform enabling EMS professionals to communicate with each other and the hospital during patient events and incidents. EMS teams can use mobile and browser-based devices to instantly alert downstream members of the care team with vital patient information before arrival at the hospital. The steps are simple: Create a patient channel; build your team; and communicate using live audio/video calls, secure messaging, images and more. From individual patient events to mass casualty incidents, Pulsara’s fast and flexible platform allows you to triage, track patient movement, and manage emergency response at any scale. Learn more: www.pulsara.com
How a state’s wristband system and Pulsara redefined safety at the Texas Renaissance Festival
Assistance is available from the U.S. government, but local systems have important responsibilities
Pioneering patient management and communication tools may be the answer to enhancing provider job satisfaction and combating EMS retention problems
Once you’ve determined what it will do, you face some more practical questions
It’s not as hard to get started as you might think – follow these initial steps