EMS Leadership Academy Highlights Challenges and Solutions in EMS Workforce

Recent data underscores the challenges in EMS workforce capacity, emphasizing the need for innovative leadership and sustainable support to meet evolving community demands.

Albany, New York, United States, January 6, 2025 — A Strained System Reaching a Breaking Point

The emergency medical services (EMS) sector in New York State, and across the nation, is facing growing demands that impact the ability of paramedics and emergency care providers to deliver vital care. According to the 2024 NYS EMS Workforce Report and the 2024 National EMS1 and Fitch & Associates Industry Trend Survey, financial and operational challenges have created operational pressures for EMS professionals.

Recent data highlights the scale of the issue. The number of active EMS responders in New York State has dropped by 17.5% between 2019 and 2022, leading to a significant strain on emergency response capabilities (NYS EMS Workforce Report, 2024). Furthermore, ambulance services in New York State have seen a 9% decline over the past decade (from 1,078 to 982), contributing to the growing challenge of maintaining timely emergency care.

Nationwide, nearly 60% of EMS agencies report insufficient staffing levels to meet 911 call demands, resulting in delayed response times and increased risks for patients in critical need (EMS1 Trend Survey, 2024).

Underfunding Creates Unsustainable Models

The financial structure of many EMS systems further exacerbates these challenges. EMS services face financial challenges due to reimbursement structures that do not always align with operational costs, creating pressures on agencies to sustain services effectively. EMS services are often structured in ways that prioritize financial sustainability, which can sometimes overshadow their role in public health and safety, which has led to the following issues:

• Low wages: 45% of EMTs report having an hourly base wage of $19 and 76% of EMTs in New York earn $24 per hour or less, a rate comparable to retail positions despite the high-stakes nature of their work. Paramedics, in particular, earn less than their counterparts in law enforcement and healthcare fields, such as nurses, firefighters, and police officers.
• Overworked professionals: Nearly 50% of paramedics work more than 40 hours per week, often taking on multiple jobs just to make ends meet. This overwork leads to high levels of stress and burnout, with only 27% of respondents meeting CDC sleep recommendations. 61% cited lack of time as a major barrier to maintaining physical health.
• Burnout and attrition: 73% of EMS providers nationwide report experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue, with 37% planning to leave the field within the next five years.

Leadership and Systemic Change Are Key

Addressing workforce challenges requires collaborative efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. The EMS Leadership Academy stresses that effective solutions must focus on both immediate support and long-term reforms.

Key priorities include:

• Increased public funding: Local governments can commit to sustainable funding models to ensure EMS agencies are well-resourced and capable of responding to community demands. This includes establishing equitable wages and retirement benefits to enhance recruitment and retention.
• Career pathways and leadership development: The establishment of clear career pathways within EMS, alongside improved leadership capacity building, will help to retain talented professionals and reduce turnover. Experienced EMS workers possess not only life-saving skills but also expertise in managing chronic health conditions and connecting individuals with the broader healthcare system. This reduces the burden on emergency departments.
• Mental health and wellness support: Expanding mental health programs is crucial, as only 12-15% of EMS workers currently have access to behavioral health services. These programs would help address the ongoing stress and emotional toll of EMS work.

Quote from Leadership

Robbie MacCue, MBA, FP-C, Co-Founder of the Academy, stated:

“Our EMS professionals play a critical role in community public health and public safety. There is a growing need for leadership capacity building and a collaborative effort to ensure sustainable financial support so they can focus on delivering exceptional emergency care when 911 is called.”

Advocacy Through Film: Spotlight on the EMS Crisis

In addition to direct advocacy efforts, the EMS Leadership Academy supports the documentary “Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis,” which highlights the challenges faced by EMS professionals. The film, which was produced by Bryony Gilbey, a former producer for CBS News, and Rich Diefenbach, a former deputy bureau chief at CBS News.

Gilbey, inspired by the stories of EMS workers stretched to the brink by the COVID-19 pandemic, explained: “EMS professionals have long emphasized the need for more support to ensure sustainable operations and workforce well-being. This film aims to highlight their dedication and the vital role they play in ensuring public health and safety.”

Gilbey continued: “When the pandemic hit, EMS workers continued to show up at great risk to their own health, uncertain whether they would infect their families. These are healthcare professionals. This film aims to highlight their dedication and the vital role they play in ensuring public health and safety so that they can continue to work in their chosen field and we can count on them showing up when we call 911.”

Notably, EMS services are considered essential in only 11 states. While there has been growing support in New York to address workforce challenges, ongoing collaboration and public awareness are crucial for progress.

About the EMS Leadership Academy

The EMS Leadership Academy, founded by Robbie MacCue and Lisa Giruzzi, is dedicated to transforming EMS leadership through global EMS leadership training resources, year-round programs, and hosting the highly respected EMS Leadership Summit. The Academy equips EMS professionals with the leadership skills and resilience needed for success in the field.

Media Contact
Robbie MacCue & Lisa Giruzzi
Founders, EMS Leadership Academy
Email: robbie@emsleadershipacademy.com
Website: https://emsleadershipacademy.com
Phone: 1-888-330-8288

Contact Info:
Name: Robbie MacCue & Lisa Giruzzi
Email: Send Email
Organization: EMS Leadership Academy
Website: https://emsleadershipacademy.com/

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