Pittsburgh, PA – Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen today highlighted ongoing investments in emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to help improve care for Pennsylvanians and ultimately keep them safe.
During a visit to EMS West Regional Council in Allegheny County, Secretary Bogen and EMS leaders demonstrated the type of medical equipment that could be funded through Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026-2027 proposed budget that includes spending $6.6 million more of the EMS Operating Fund (EMSOF) to help build the EMS workforce of tomorrow.
In the past three years, the Shapiro Administration invested more than $56 million from EMSOF to support EMS professionals with equipment funding, tuition support, recruitment, and training assistance.
“Every minute counts when EMS professionals are dispatched to an urgent medical situation,” said Secretary Bogen. “Since taking office, Governor Shapiro made supporting EMS in Pennsylvania a priority. His proposed investment will provide the EMS professionals across the state with innovative equipment and training that can improve care and patient outcomes when performing a time-sensitive and technically complex procedure like an intubation in the field.”
EMS West Regional Council demonstrated the use of video laryngoscopes it recently purchased to distribute to EMS agencies within its region: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Potter, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Failure to intubate on the first attempt is associated with an increased risk of life-threatening complications. Ensuring qualified EMS professionals have access to video laryngoscopes reduces the chances of airway trauma in patients.
All agencies within the region will use the same model for quality assurance and to successfully track usage and success rates.
“Through our video laryngoscope project, we are adding and replacing video laryngoscopes across our 16-county region, ensuring equitable distribution and providing Advanced Life Support providers with modern tools to improve airway management and first-pass success rates,” said EMS West Regional Council Director Brian Shaw. “EMS West looks forward to continued investments and remains committed to directing 100% of those resources toward equipment that directly benefits the patients served by EMS agencies throughout our region.”
Pennsylvania’s EMS agencies continue to respond to a high volume of emergency calls, assisting more than 2.2 million residents annually.
Emergency medical services professionals provide essential response capabilities in an urgent medical situation, rapidly stabilizing and transporting patients to an emergency room.
Like EMS agencies across the country, limited staff availability, inadequate equipment, and insufficient funding can delay patient care plans in Pennsylvania. The EMSOF equips professionals with tools that reduce response times and improve patient outcomes.
Supporting EMS professionals remains a priority for the Shapiro Administration.
In 2023, Act 15 was passed to increase Medicaid mileage reimbursement rates for ambulance services – helping EMS agencies stay financially stable, remain open, and be properly reimbursed for costs associated with delivering care to Pennsylvanians.
The Department of Health launched a three-year tuition assistance program in 2024 to provide up to $5,000 in reimbursement to individuals who earn an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or paramedic certification.
EMS agencies are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement per fiscal year for expenses related to recruitment and retention efforts.
Each year, more than 1.5 million critically ill adults undergo tracheal intubation in the United States in a setting other than an operating room.
“Today’s investment is an important step forward, but it also highlights the continued work ahead to ensure EMS systems remain sustainable across Pennsylvania,” said Valley Ambulance Authority EMS Chief Brian Herskovitz. “When we invest in EMS, we are investing in the safety, health, and resilience of every community across the Commonwealth.”
Between Valley Ambulance Authority and Murrysville Medic One, 60 paramedics and pre-hospital registered nurses (PHRNs) will begin using video laryngoscopes when caring for patients who need intubation during emergency medical responses.
Watch Governor Shapiro’s full budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate and see the Governor’s full remarks as prepared for delivery here.
Read an overview of Governor Shapiro’s 2026-2027 budget proposal or explore the full Budget in Brief here.
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