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Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system. PHOTO/PACAST
Shapiro Administration invests in EMS workforce
Ed Gruver//September 24, 2024//
Listen to this articleGrant applications are being accepted by the Department of Health (DOH) to continue improving and building the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workforce in Pennsylvania.
The DOH is seeking to encourage high school students to explore careers in EMS.
“Emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system,” Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said in a statement. “Having a well-trained and dedicated EMS professional arriving at your door 24/7 in an emergency is a safeguard all Pennsylvanians deserve. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to helping people enter this vital profession.”
Eligible to apply for the grants are all accredited Pennsylvania EMS Educational Institutes and non-state-owned institutions of higher education. Each $50,000 grant represents the western, central, and eastern regions of Pennsylvania and will be used to conduct pilot programs for high school students interested in becoming EMS providers. Funding comes from Pennsylvania’s Fireworks Tax.
Applications must be received by 1:30 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
DOH’s Bureau of EMS worked with regional EMS Institutes in Summer 2024 to create three pilot programs seeking to inspire high school students to consider careers in the emergency responder workforce. Pennsylvanians aged 16 and older can apply for EMS certification after completing courses and passing a DOH-recognized certification examination.
