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
Fitch & Associates and EMS1 break down trends in staffing, operations and career longevity
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?
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
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
As you begin your EMS journey, remember: the calls are real, the people are counting on you, and your training is just the beginning
Join Mike Taigman, Chris Carlson and Daniel Brown to explore how data-driven decisions, BLS units, telehealth and nurse advice lines can reshape emergency services — without risking lives
Union pressures mayor as investment in equipment outpaces investment in people
If you’ve ever worked tired, driven drowsy, or taken one shift too many, this one’s for you
With 17 paramedic vacancies, the county turns to sign-on bonuses, but will it solve the real problem?
City leaders seek millions in funding to improve EMS wages
Program aims to recruit and train 50-75 paramedics annually to strengthen workforce
State EMS Director Joe Schmider on how Texas’ data-driven plan brought in 10,915 new providers
Recruitment efforts can focus on non-traditional members, people who live outside the area and even members of neighboring departments
Eve Grau, co-founder of Royal Ambulance, a Glassdoor Employee’s Choice winner, shares the moments that matter, and how to recognize performance
From coffee, to healthy snacks and hydration options, make sure your EMS crews have everything they need to recharge between shifts with cost-saving subscription options
When the overtime pool is deep, many EMTs and paramedics will swim for as long as they possibly can
No one wants to join a sinking ship
“You can’t oversee EMS medicine from behind a desk.” With a full-time medical director, providers gain a mentor, coach and advocate.
The EMS Leadership Academy highlights the urgent need to address funding, career pathways and wellness support
When leadership turnover is persistent, is this a personnel issue or a deeper systemic problem?
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
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
I lived to retire from the ambulance company
Medics weigh in on how skilled nursing facility policies and staffing gaps overburden EMS and the ED
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
Pinnacle speaker explained how to use the ancient art of storytelling to impact EMS provider identity, resilience and excellence
Firearms instructor Todd Fletcher went from a competitive power lifter to a retiree managing pre-diabetes and high blood pressure, showing the impact of shift work on wellness
From smartwatches to hydration, here are four mission-ready picks to help you build strength, regulate stress and stay fit for the job — and for life
Score discounted duty gear, workout tools and everyday essentials July 8-11 with our curated list of budget-friendly buys
A practical guide to interpreting urine color for maintaining optimal hydration
Steve Grau’s powerful wakeup call urging EMS leaders to prioritize mindset, breathwork and emotional clarity over management checklists
At the AAA Conference, Dr. Long delivered more than a keynote — she issued a survival plan for first responders facing burnout
A Forbes Top Futurist with skin in the game calls for EMS to re-examine how it recruits, relates and retains its people in an era of relentless change
Even if you can’t travel out of town for a vacation, you can still make the most of your time off; here are some tips to help responders enjoy a staycation right at home
By following actionable steps before, during and after a vacation, first responders can embrace the therapeutic power of detachment and fortify their resilience
Share your wish list with your community via social channels; you may be surprised at the generosity of your fellow citizens!
Learn how rehab sectors can identify and treat hyperthermia, ensuring paramedic/firefighter safety during high-temperature incidents
Text-message study links early-morning fatigue spikes, call volume and naps to crew alertness
While often present in public safety culture, gallows humor is a double-edged tool — providing momentary relief but carrying emotional risks if left unchecked
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
Your pay, your role and your resources are on the line; here’s what EMS leaders are fighting for now
These sources of start-up and long-term funding can help launch and provide economic sustainability for mobile integrated health care
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
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
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