EMT shortage puts patient health at risk; Additional funds, training necessary to increase staff

     An EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician, responds to a magnitude of different emergency situations such as fires to decontamination and care for firefighters. As well as medical care for the public population by stabilizing patients before taking them to a medical care facility.     

     The main duties of EMTs include treating patients who are sick or injured, transporting patients to hospitals, driving emergency vehicles safely, responsibly and quickly responding to calls made by dispatchers, according to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. 

      EMTs have the ability to make a meaningful impact in the community in which they serve by helping people in dire situations and saving lives. In many cases, EMTs are responsible for keeping patients calm in very high-stress situations. EMTs serve as the first wave of care and treatment in emergency situations.  

      A shortage of EMTs and paramedics is threatening emergency response times around the country. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already a high turnover rate among EMS workers. But the pandemic has drastically increased the shortage with some workers leaving the industry from burnout, and dwindling recruiting numbers.

     Money also plays a pivotal role in the number of EMTs in an area. Training takes time and money, and most people who desire to become EMTs pay for the training out of their own pockets. Severely taking away from the draw of being an EMT. 

     North County Public Radio (NCPR) states, “A 2020 National EMS Assessment found that of over a million certified EMTs in the US, only about a fifth are paid…And even paid positions offer very low wages – $14-$18 an hour, or a yearly salary in the $30,00 range.”

     With low wages, extensive training, and excessive working hours most people do not have the desire to serve their community through the service of being an EMT. If government institutions do not start advocating and adding EMTs to improve their numbers, the number of EMTs will continue to fall.

     These low numbers of EMTs will negatively affect the communities in which they intend to serve by prolonging response times and availability of these people. With slower response times, the number of patient mortalities will drastically increase. 

     The majority of EMTs work full time or more than 40 hours per week. Because patients can need assistance at any point in time, EMTs work overnight, during the day, weekends and holidays. Shifts typically range from nine, 12 and 24 hours.

     During the midst of the pandemic EMTs and paramedics were taking time to serve other families and members of their communities, but in return, sacrificing the health of their own families. With so many people quitting and getting ill during that time, they were also being put onto mandatory overtime, leaving them with little time to spend with family members.