EMS providers and leaders across all levels of care reported staffing to be one of the top challenges facing the industry. A recent study reported over 86% of providers experienced recruitment and retention challenges in the past three years.¹

Fitch (2023) reported that many EMS providers have lowered educational requirements, lowered the minimum age, and eliminated certification before hiring (i.e., paid time for training) to overcome workforce shortages. Despite these efforts, maintaining an adequate workforce in EMS organizations and agencies across the country is a growing concern.

Providers continue to evaluate and adjust recruitment strategies to maintain their critical role in the public health and safety system in the United States; however, little is known about the efforts to recruit from underrepresented populations.

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