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
EMS funding is broken — and communities are done pretending it’s not
It’s time to match praise with policy for those on the front lines
What DSM-5 recognition of moral injury means for EMS
Professionally trained chaplains are building sustainable systems — and freely sharing tools and education with volunteer peers across the country
Discover how EMTs and paramedics can improve sleep and fight fatigue with simple changes like air filters, blackout curtains and humidity control
Staffing shortages, weak feedback loops and outdated incentives are driving talent away. Stay interviews and engagement plans could be the solution.
Burnout tops the list of critical concerns. Discover how to recognize the signs and address root causes, to prevent and reverse burnout.
Real talk from the EMSpire Leadership Panel: leadership isn’t earned in crisis, it’s built daily, through intentional coaching, vulnerability and passing the torch with purpose
Break the one-size-fits-all approach and build trust through personalized, people-first communication
Engaging payers, the medical director, administrators and field providers was key to MedStar’s successful telehealth implementation
With burnout ranked as the top concern, the EMS Trend Survey reveals a profession pushed to the brink — and what must change to protect it
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
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Understanding the Employee Value Proposition is the key to attracting, engaging and retaining good people for your EMS organization
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
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Achieve peak performance through foam-rolling, active warm-ups, deadlifts, functional dumbbell exercises and high-intensity interval training
Use the habit loop to set goals in motion and achieve success
Understaffed, overworked first responders need robust wellness programs to combat stress
Who could use a little more sleep?
EMS providers are more susceptible to sleep disorders and their inherent dangers and health implications
Contract negotiations may hold the key to closing the gap between what medics expect and the reality of the job
Will a schedule change improve work-life balance or worsen fatigue?
With a provider-first 24/72 schedule, advanced clinical tools and a culture rooted in teamwork, Stokes County EMS is redefining what it means to build a sustainable paramedic career
Chronic inflammation is driven by sleep disruption, poor nutrition, limited exercise and unresolved trauma
With 76% of EMS professionals facing burnout, agencies must prioritize recovery, resilience and leadership modeling to protect provider health and patient safety
A career in public safety or emergency response can take a toll on your loved ones; here’s what you need to know
Try one (or all) of these ideas and make movement a priority — together!
Resiliency training and a CISM program laid a foundation for the Richmond Ambulance Authority to support its providers’ mental health
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.
“Fatigue isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s a physiological and cognitive state that directly impacts decision-making, reaction times and the ability to perform under pressure.”
There’s no denying that EMS takes a toll on provider health; this 30-day challenge can help you get your life back
Shift your mindset and identity to achieve and maintain your objectives
Forget protein bars — the best “exercise snack” happens in the patrol car, between calls or while restocking the rig
Identify and aid team members facing depression, burnout or compassion fatigue to foster an emotionally safe organizational environment
Female EMS clinicians report high rates of harassment, mental health struggles and limited career support. Research highlights key areas for reform to create a safer and more inclusive workplace.
LEADERSHIP
Dr. Ed Racht calls for healthcare-first framing, action-oriented dashboards and the courage to celebrate wins — and be horrified by failures
“The next evolution of EMS leadership will not be measured by how many calls we answer, but by how many crises we prevent.”
A powerful story of transition, resilience and the legacy of building teams that thrive beyond your role
After the abrupt dismissal of the federal EMS advisory council, outgoing members are stepping up — ensuring the next cohort won’t start cold
Don’t assume residents know what your agency does; spell it out and explain how additional funding would positively impact community members
How seeing other EMS systems transforms your own
How EMS agencies can work with states to obtain Rural Health Transformation Program funding
What EMS leaders need to know now
Dr. Cochran shares his journey of overcoming adversity, leading through challenges, and maintaining faith and integrity in the face of trials
The Overrun weighs in on how the dismissal of all NEMSAC members could reset priorities at the federal level
In an era flooded with statistics, EMS leaders must learn to frame the facts in human terms. Storytelling transforms metrics into meaning — and meaning into momentum.
How new federal tax rules could affect your paycheck, deductions and long-term savings
Why the termination of NEMSAC is a giant loss to EMS
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
A new congressional bill aims to classify cross-trained EMS personnel federally, but will it be enough?
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