What happened: In a rare show of bipartisanship, Congress has introduced HR 3791 — the EMS Counts Act — a bill aimed at formally recognizing cross-trained EMTs and paramedics within the federal classification system.
Sponsored by Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Representative John Mannion (D-NY), the bill was introduced in the 119th Congress on June 5, 2025. While the move marks significant progress for federal EMS acknowledgment, it only includes EMS providers who are also firefighters, leaving out single-role EMS professionals — especially those in rural or third-service agencies.
|More: Bill would add cross-trained EMTs, paramedics to federal classification system
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- A long-overdue recognition. The bill acknowledges EMS as a vital public safety service at the federal level — a milestone many in the field see as decades overdue.
- Fire-EMS focus draws concern. HR 3791 currently applies only to providers cross-trained as both firefighters and EMTs/paramedics, raising equity concerns for single-role EMS professionals.
- Call to action for providers. Bauter and Schwester urge EMS personnel to contact their representatives and advocate for the bill — while pushing for broader inclusion of all EMS roles in future legislation.
The path forward
The EMS Counts Act represents a critical first step in securing long-needed federal recognition for emergency medical services. However, the exclusion of single-role EMS professionals underscores a need for broader advocacy and legislative reform. As Bauter and Schwester emphasize, the EMS community must remain engaged — both to support the bill’s passage and to push for inclusive policy that reflects the full spectrum of EMS work across the country.
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
