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
In an era of thin resources and rising demands, it’s not just tech or tactics that define great EMS teams — it’s leadership rooted in everyday respect
“If you’re reading this and you’re close to your own breaking point, hear me”
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
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
From ride-alongs to station visits, true leadership in public safety means meeting your people where they are. Trust isn’t built behind a desk — it’s earned on the ground
Community paramedicine demands a mindset shift — from crisis mode to continuity of care. Learn how EMS providers can build trust, treat root causes and redefine what success looks like.
When employees are happy, engaged and productive, and the organization is meeting their individual needs, they are more likely to meet their full potential
Discover how the Johari Window helps leaders uncover blind spots, show vulnerability and foster real connection with their crews
A paramedic’s sudden death prompts urgent questions about operational norms and caregiver health
A new congressional bill aims to classify cross-trained EMS personnel federally, but will it be enough?
When intentions don’t match actions, trust and morale suffer. Learn how to lead with purpose, awareness and genuine presence
For first responders, good nutrition isn’t a luxury — it’s a performance tool. But cutting through trends and keeping it simple is the real key to long-term success
Leadership is about serving others, not feeding your ego
Leading through crisis without losing hope — the Stockdale Paradox in EMS
Building mental and physical resilience isn’t just important — it’s essential for EMS professionals. If your program isn’t gaining traction, these 5 roadblocks could be to blame.
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?
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
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
If we want to keep up, it’s time we change gears and evolve from a traditional recruitment strategy
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
What CoAEMSP has learned about EMS student attrition and retention
Stay interviews help employees feel valued, respected and supported, improving their engagement and motivation
Fitch & Associates and EMS1 break down trends in staffing, operations and career longevity
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
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Closing out the year with a rapid-fire look at what frontline providers are really saying — from spinal immobilization, to swiping through microlearning
Understand the difference between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation
To lead and inspire an EMS team, motivation must first come from within
It’s time to match praise with policy for those on the front lines
“The work you do is sacred. Daily, hourly you give the gift of presence; a beacon in the night, even when you don’t get ROSC.”
What DSM-5 recognition of moral injury means for EMS
Reading these EMS1 articles, like watching Rudolph and singing Jingle Bells, is a holiday tradition for EMTs and paramedics everywhere
Professionally trained chaplains are building sustainable systems — and freely sharing tools and education with volunteer peers across the country
The short answer: Yes. And Dr. Jaime Brower offers the tools to make it happen.
Browse our gallery of AI-generated ugly Christmas sweaters featuring the festive world of EMS
All caregivers can find solace in small victories and salvation in providing comfort to those who are suffering
Christmas spirit is all around us, in the cops, EMTs, firefighters and nurses who bring hope just by showing up
Books
A paramedic’s role is to help people and do the best they can for each patient
EMS providers bring comfort, calm and cheer to the lives of people who need us the most
The unpredictability of the job can make celebrating the holidays a logistical nightmare; here are some unique ways to stay connected
Discover how EMTs and paramedics can improve sleep and fight fatigue with simple changes like air filters, blackout curtains and humidity control
Support first responders injured in the line of duty, new recruit education and the families of the fallen
Explaining the reason you are unable to cover an open EMT or paramedic shift is unnecessary and counter-productive
Staffing shortages, weak feedback loops and outdated incentives are driving talent away. Stay interviews and engagement plans could be the solution.
Use the habit loop to set goals in motion and achieve success
LEADERSHIP
With shifting legislation and rising costs, EMS leaders must master the art of financial transparency. This guide demystifies ambulance funding models, cost drivers and how to make the numbers make sense.
From shrinking Medicaid rolls to rural hospital closures, this 870-page bill could shake EMS to its core. These 7 key takeaways will help your agency prepare.
Culture, consistency, and connection matter more than command. Todd Steele shares battle-tested insights for turning failure into fuel for growth.
EMS leaders hail the grant as a critical step toward better access and reduced overdoses
EMS leaders and educators delve into the creation and impact of the Kentucky EMS Leadership Academy — designed to empower small-town providers with big-picture leadership skills
When seconds count, structured knowledge counts even more. Learn how mapping critical info can transform training, decisions and patient care in EMS.
MedPAC, Medicaid cuts have EMS at a financial crossroads
Because “stay in your lane” was never in the job description
Why post-crash care matters: 42% of patients alive at EMS arrival die later
From emotional intelligence to adaptability, learn how to spot top-tier EMS providers
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
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
Takeaways from the First CMS Data Collection Report on Ambulance Services to enhance service levels and reduce costs of service delivery