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
Help us identify the factors impacting wellness, advancement and satisfaction in EMS
ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY
Fitch & Associates and EMS1 break down trends in staffing, operations and career longevity
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
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
When employees are happy, engaged and productive, and the organization is meeting their individual needs, they are more likely to meet their full potential
Insufficient sleep impacts decision-making, wellness and risk-taking, putting providers and patients at risk
“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
Taking the concept of the right care, to the right person at the right resource to a new level
Engaging payers, the medical director, administrators and field providers was key to MedStar’s successful telehealth implementation
“There is no substitute for experience. Yet, regardless of experience level, it is important to consider how EMS education can teach situational awareness”
The whole-system approach to protecting your personnel from violence
How a hybrid paid/volunteer emergency service model can provide the best care
AI has huge potential to improve care and EMS; but we must remain cognizant of potential biases
Five ways to shape policies that enhance patient care, streamline operations and provide a safer working environment
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
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
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Losing a partner in this field cuts deeper than in most; here’s a reflection on my recent loss and what it means to me
For EMTs, grief is often a surprising reaction to every day interactions with patients and their loved ones
Lessons from a Florida chief’s message to grieving members
EMS Trend Survey seeks input for What Paramedics Want in 2025 report
The state-of-the industry survey focuses on wellness, career development and satisfaction in 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
EMS providers bring comfort, calm and cheer to the lives of people who need us the most
A paramedic’s role is to help people and do the best they can for each patient
The 9th annual What Paramedics Want survey wants to hear from medical first responders, EMTs and paramedics about their career satisfaction, health and wellness
Which of these viral TikTok fitness trends will you try next?
The short answer: Yes. And Dr. Jaime Brower offers the tools to make it happen.
Insights, challenges and future directions: Highlighting the most compelling discussions that shaped EMS this year
Without a defined pension plan, most providers are on the hook for saving for retirement; check out these tips to help you get started
From concerns over financial security to the physical and mental toll a career in EMS takes, providers should be preparing for retirement now
When and where to watch the First Responder Bowl, plus a brief history of this unique event
EMT Stephen Walsh’s death sparks a call to action for wellness initiatives and the reevaluation of long-standing shift structures
Browse our gallery of AI-generated ugly Christmas sweaters featuring the festive world of EMS
You never know when a simple “thank you” to an educator, nurse, law enforcement officer or firefighter might make a life-changing impact
LEADERSHIP
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
Here are books for grant writers looking to hone their craft
Assistant Chief Joel Koehn on servant leadership, empowering his team and focusing on organizational culture
Colorado’s community naloxone distribution program faces a financial shortfall as state funding dwindles, raising concerns for overdose prevention efforts
These are challenging times to be a first responder; your support is welcome and appreciated
Communicating with law enforcement and following these clinical guidelines will help to keep patient safety first and foremost
It is time for an honest conversation about response times, reimbursement and funding solutions for the future of EMS
Navigating the shift in financial responsibility and the impact rural EMS practices and policies
It’s a two-way street; HR professionals should do more to understand the industry and fire/EMS leaders should better explain the needs of members
Ambulance services cannot afford to feed the billing department incomplete, inaccurate or misrepresented information
Retired firefighters, EMS and police officers may reduce their taxable earnings by up to $3,000 for medical insurance premiums paid during a calendar year
Laurie Thiel shares strategies for addressing unproductive meetings and boosting productivity in EMS workplaces
It’s hard to sit back and watch when so much work needs to be done, but your team needs stability, not more chaos
Chapter 4 of this comprehensive desk reference about EMS in the U.S. untangles the origin and history of the EMS Star of Life
Offering educational options versus punitive responses can make all the difference
Division Chief David Munoz on guiding members in the same direction with clarity and meaningful purpose
Identify and conquer the fight-or-flight response with these four simple steps
Understand the distinction and implication of Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding
New labor regulations will increase the salary threshold for overtime exemptions – Steve Wirth shares how this impacts EMS roles
Sacramento City FD Battalion Chief Erik Saari on creating positive pathways for all members to contribute to the department
Emergency care representatives testify about reimbursement, access challenges
Communication applications, tech allow real-time feedback on critically ill patients; enable error-insulated hospital reporting
How Mehlville Fire Protection District used ET3 and community paramedicine to improve overall health and quality of life for the community
ABOUT THE SPONSOR: PULSARA
The Pulsara platform empowers responders to triage and track patients while managing any incident – from mass casualty incidents to hurricane evacuations, MVAs with multiple patients or special events – and assist in evacuation and reunification efforts as the incident unfolds. Pulsara’s powerful scanning technology allows responders to instantly scan patient wristbands to create or join existing patient channels, making continuity of care and interoperability between organizations seamless. No matter who you need to connect with in a crisis, Pulsara can help connect you to the right resources at the right time.
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