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    ICYMI: ‘I Think it’s Amazing’ – Shapiro Administration Launches New Statewide Recruitment Initiative to Boost EMS Workforce

    The Department of Health is partnering with all 13 regional councils to host career days throughout the Commonwealth.

    May 19, 2025

    Harrisburg, PA – In recognition of EMS Week (May 18-24), the Shapiro Administration announced a new statewide recruitment initiative to attract Pennsylvanians to the emergency medical services field during a visit to AMED Authority EMS Station in Altoona. 

    The Department of Health is partnering with all 13 Pennsylvania regional EMS councils to host career days, offering opportunities for interested Pennsylvanians to speak with local EMS responders and learn more about their roles through on-site activities. Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-2026 budget proposal invests $6 million more per year for the next three years to the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, which will be disbursed through the regional EMS councils to local stations for activities such as recruitment and retention programs. 

    Read what EMS professionals are saying about the new statewide recruitment initiative:

    “I think it’s amazing,” said Southern Allegheny Emergency Medical Services Executive Director Jordan Anthony. “We need to get the word out there about what we do and who we are. I think doing these initiatives and being out in the public eye is really going to help bring awareness to and know that there are these career opportunities out there that people can partake in.”

    “I think the education portion of it has improved here in Pennsylvania,” said Chief Doug Dick from Superior Ambulance Service, Grove City. “The staff at our Bureau of EMS has been great to work with. We’re trying new things. They’re getting people engaged in what’s going on.”

    “I honestly just can’t say enough about how vital EMS and pre-hospital care is to a patient’s outcome in the field,” said AMED EMT student James Musselman. “I’ve seen numerous incidents where, without that preventative care from those EMS providers, those patients probably wouldn’t have made it.”

    See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about the Administration’s work to boost the EMS workforce:

    WKBN: Grove City, Pennsylvania recruitment and retention event marks start of EMS Week

    WTAJ: Shapiro Administration looks to recruit more people to EMS workforce

    WJAC: State officials visit Blair County to address critical shortage of first responders

    Fox 43: Pennsylvania launches EMS recruitment initiative

    Altoona Mirror: EMS support effort launched in Altoona 

    Fox 56: Pennsylvania launches initiative to boost EMS recruitment statewide

    Penn Watch: New Statewide Recruitment Initiative to Boost EMS Workforce in Pennsylvania

    Watch the full video, including an interview with Southern Allegheny Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS) Regional Council Executive Director Jordan Anthony discussing the statewide initiative, on PAcast. 

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