According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 17 states and the District of Columbia have designated EMS as an essential service. New Jersey municipalities are required to provide police, fire, animal control, sanitation and a health department. They are not required to provide – or fund – EMS. 

You can look up your state’s designation here.
 

Across the United States, the EMS profession is in critical condition. 

• There is no career path or pensions for many EMS professionals, so our best and brightest leave for higher paying positions as nurses or PAs. Who will become the EMS chiefs in 10 years?

• Volunteer EMS agencies are facing critical staffing shortages as certification requirements and call volumes increase. 

• Nonaffiliated EMS agencies are only eligible for 2% of FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants. FEMA received nearly $4B in funding requests from fire departments and non-affiliated EMS agencies but will only be eligible to grant $350 million total. Due to the percentage restrictions, EMS is only able to receive $7 million.

 

Is it enough to call us essential? 

Not even close. Essential service designation must come with appropriate funding. 

 

What can you do? 

• Join professional associations like NAEMT and get involved in advocacy efforts. They have a great EMS Advocacy Guide that provides lots of information and resources.

• Reach out to your representatives to discuss the current condition of EMS in your state. Who are my representatives? 

• Build a network on LinkedIn. Follow and connect with EMS leaders across the country. 

• Start small with grassroots advocacy in your community. Does the community you serve know how you’re funded? Invite them over. Show them around your station. Make yourself available to share ideas and brainstorm together.

• Make friends with your local media. Be the person they call when they need an expert.

• Share the documentary Honorable but Broken, EMS in Crisis with your team and your community.