By Sarah Roebuck
SA国际传媒
HARRISBURG, Pa. 鈥� To strengthen Pennsylvania鈥檚 future EMS workforce, the state鈥檚 Department of Health (DOH) announced the expansion of a successful pilot program that offers high school students interested in EMS interactive learning and hands-on experience.
The camps, launched for the first time this summer, will continue to inspire students to pursue life-saving work, guiding them toward becoming the next generation of skilled emergency responders, .
鈥淭he EMS summer camp programs are a testament to the Shapiro Administration鈥檚 dedication to building safer, stronger communities throughout Pennsylvania,鈥� said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. 鈥淏y introducing high school students to the EMS profession, we are not only equipping them with critical, life-saving skills, but also inspiring the next generation of emergency responders. These experiences will leave a lasting impact on these young individuals, empowering them to make a difference in their communities for years to come.鈥�
To expand on recent investments, the DOH鈥檚 Bureau of Emergency Medical Services teamed up with regional EMS organizations to launch three pilot programs designed to spark high school students鈥� interest in emergency responder careers, the news release states. This summer, more than 50 students from Pennsylvania joined these hands-on camps. The program will be expanded for the upcoming year due to the success of the camps.
A request for applications will be announced in the fall to provide funding for EMS organizations in Pennsylvania that are interested in hosting similar programs throughout the state in the summer.
In early September, the Seven Mountains EMS Council in Huntingdon County hosted one of three EMS summer camps funded by Pennsylvania鈥檚 Fireworks Tax. During the weeklong camp at Camp Blue Diamond, 28 students were trained in handling medical emergencies like cardiac arrests and overdoses, while also gaining insight into the daily responsibilities of EMS professionals, according to the news release.
Earlier this summer, 25 students participated in a similar camp hosted by Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc. and Lehighton Ambulance Association in Carbon County. The Greene County Career and Technology Center also ran a camp in early August.
鈥淭hese hands-on activities give students a unique glimpse into the diverse and vital services that our EMS professionals provide every day,鈥� said Dr. Wendy Braund, DOH deputy secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection. 鈥淏y offering young Pennsylvanians access to programs like these, we are not only empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities but also opening doors to a potential career path that could shape their futures. It鈥檚 an investment in both their personal growth and the wellbeing of our Commonwealth.鈥�
A key goal of this pilot program is to attract younger Pennsylvanians to the EMS field, according to the news release. Camp participants learned to support each other and communicate effectively, reflecting the teamwork essential in real-life emergency situations faced by EMS professionals.