HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced its latest effort to boost the emergency medical services (EMS) field with a $150,000 grant from the Shapiro administration.
The program encourages more high school students to consider careers in EMS, leading to better healthcare for Pennsylvania residents.
The grant, announced on Tuesday, will support the growth of EMS education programs, to provide first responders the necessary resources to carry out their vital roles, including appropriate staffing.
Shawn Watrous, the executive director of the Manheim Township Ambulance Association, emphasized the impact of the personnel shortage.
“The EMS personnel shortage going on across the nation is a growing crisis that threatens the ability for us to provide life-saving care,” Watrous said.
He explained that it affects the community's healthcare by increasing the time it takes to respond to a call.
“Constant turnover of employees affects the community’s healthcare because if we don’t have staff to come out and do the job we have fewer ambulances in the street,” Watrous said.
The American Ambulance Association reported a high turnover rate for full-time EMTs and paramedics in 2022, further highlighting the pressing need to address the shortage of EMS professionals. According to the survey, 36% of EMTs and 27% of paramedics left the field or were replaced.
While these numbers include resignations and firings, the survey found that in most cases EMS workers left voluntarily.
“Oftentimes our paramedics and EMTs go off to a career that can provide them with better benefits and better wages,” Watrous said.
Watrous believes it’s due to a lack of funding.
He added, “Being underfunded in EMS definitely holds us back from hiring the best staff and retaining them.”
To tackle this issue, the $150,000 investment will be utilized to fund pilot programs aimed at encouraging more high school students to explore careers in the EMS field and serve their communities.
Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health Debra Bogen emphasized the importance of well-trained and dedicated EMS professionals being available around the clock in emergencies. She said it’s “A safeguard all Pennsylvanians deserve.”
The investment will be divided into three separate grants for one accredited EMS educational institute or non-state-owned school in each of the western, central and eastern regions of the state.
Schools interested in applying for the grants have until October 16t to submit their applications, after which three institutions will be awarded $50,000 each to implement their pilot programs as they see fit.
Watrous says the increase in trained EMS professionals is worth the wait.
“Training individuals to become EMTs and paramedics is a great way to get them into the workforce and allow us a bigger pool to pull and interview from,” Watrous said.
But answering the call for help doesn’t end with career candidates. Pennsylvania allows individuals 16 years and older to apply for an EMS certification after completing required education courses and passing a recognized Department of Health certification exam. This allows students to get involved early and help fill a critical need in the healthcare system.