Workforce Development

The nation’s EMS system is facing a crippling workforce shortage, a long-term problem that has been building for more than a decade. It threatens to undermine the emergency 9-1-1 infrastructure and will require innovative solutions by EMS leaders to create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce.

Below are creative solutions shared by EMS agencies, associations and organizations on how they are promoting interest of the EMS profession, recruiting new EMTs and Paramedics, and engaging and retaining their current workforce. If your agency or organization would like to share its solution(s), please send to EMSWorkforce@naemt.org for the NAEMT EMS Workforce Committee to consider posting.

Category	Title	Description
Retention	How Lancaster County EMS Built a Culture of Employee Engagement	Article from the Fall 2023 NAEMT News, a quarterly NAEMT publication.
Recruitment and Retention	Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services	USFA has taken a proactive step by releasing a comprehensive manual to equip volunteer departments with the necessary tools, strategies and insights to overcome recruitment obstacles and retain their valuable volunteers.
Recruitment	Bring Who You Are Recruitment Ad (2)	Boston EMS in conjunction with the Boston Public Health Commission initiated a new EMS provider recruitment campaign to highlight that EMS represents all types of people, interests and personalities.
Recruitment	Bring Who You Are Recruitment Ad (1)	Boston EMS in conjunction with the Boston Public Health Commission initiated a new EMS provider recruitment campaign to highlight that EMS represents all types of people, interests and personalities.
EMS Pipeline	Pa. EMS camp gives teens hands-on experience	EmergyCare's Camp EMS offers a view into a career in EMS with hands-on training and demonstrations
Research	Ambulance Deserts	The Rural Health Research Gateway report, 2023 Ambulance Desert Chartbook
Recruitment	SC Workforce for the Future Scholarships	Outline of workforce scholarship program and implementation plan in South Carolina.
Funding	2021 SCEMSA	A plan to exemplify current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unmet needs, workforce concerns, and education disparities and provide meaningful solutions that can be enacted by increasing funding to the SCEMSA.
EMS Pipeline	EMS Training Pipeline	A study of the educational pipeline for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in South Carolina
EMS Pipeline	SCEMS Workforce Survey	A study of the demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in South Carolina
Recruitment	SCEMSCA EMS Careers Webpage	Webpage to build awareness and educate the public on EMS careers.
Recruitment	SCEMSA EMS Recruitment Video	A video to build awareness and educate the public on EMS careers
Retention	2022 National Survey EMS Workforce Satisfaction and Engagement	NAEMT’s national survey results on EMS workforce satisfaction and engagement.
Retention	Culture of Employee Engagement	A description of employee engagement, the benefits for EMS and simple, cost-effective ways to implement.
Retention	2022 EMS Employee Turnover Study	AAA’s, in collaboration with Newton 360, fourth annual survey results on employee turnover in the EMS industry.
Recruitment	NAEMT Recruitment Guide for EMS Agencies	Innovative Recruitment Strategies for EMS Agencies.