Editor鈥檚 note:鈥Welcome to the What Paramedics Want podcast series of Inside EMS, sponsored by鈥. The state of the industry What Paramedics Want Report explores issues tied to provider recruitment and retention; safety, health and wellness support; technology adoption; and career development, produced in partnership with Fitch & Associates and the National EMS Management Association.鈥Learn more鈥痑苍诲鈥download your copy.
EMS pay and retention 鈥 or the lack thereof 鈥 is at the heart of this week鈥檚 episode of Inside EMS. Hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle a news item out of Dougherty County, Georgia, where a recent exodus of EMS professionals spurred long-overdue pay raises and bonuses.
The discussion then shifts to Pickens County, Alabama, where a lack of funding led to a total EMS shutdown. Chris and Kelly explore how underfunded systems collapse under the weight of low reimbursement rates, poor public understanding of EMS costs, and systemic inaction until tragedy strikes.
Through real-world examples, the hosts unpack why it鈥檚 essential to 鈥渧ote with your feet鈥 as an EMS professional and how agencies can keep talent by either paying well or fostering loyalty 鈥 though they can鈥檛 afford to fail at both. If you鈥檝e ever wondered why EMS seems stuck in a financial rut, this episode offers insights that hit close to home.
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