Harrisburg, PA – In an effort to build a stronger Pennsylvania EMS workforce for the future, the Department of Health (DOH) today announced it is expanding a successful pilot program that provided high school students with an interest in the EMS profession with interactive learning and real-world practice. The camps, held for the first time this summer, will continue to serve as a gateway for students to develop a passion for life-saving work, setting them on a path toward becoming the next generation of skilled emergency responders.
“The EMS summer camp programs are a testament to the Shapiro Administration’s dedication to building safer, stronger communities throughout Pennsylvania,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “By 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.”
Since the beginning of his Administration, Governor Josh Shapiro has been committed to rebuilding our EMS workforce and improving conditions for first responders who serve our communities every day. In the 2023-24 budget, he worked with the General Assembly to secure $20.7 million to increase mileage rates for ambulance services, protecting access to healthcare and ensuring that EMS workers and first responders are properly reimbursed for the critical care they provide.
Building on those critical investments, DOH’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services collaborated with regional EMS organizations to create three pilot programs aimed at inspiring high school students to consider future careers in the emergency responder workforce. This summer, more than 50 young Pennsylvanians took part in these immersive camps.
Following the success of each camp, the program will be expanded for the upcoming year. A Request for Applications will be announced this fall to provide funding for EMS organizations across the state interested in hosting similar programs throughout Pennsylvania next summer.
Earlier this month the Seven Mountains EMS Council in Huntingdon County hosted one of the three EMS summer camps which were supported by funds from Pennsylvania’s Fireworks Tax. Over the course of the weeklong camp held at Camp Blue Diamond in Huntingdon County, 28 students learned how to properly address medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrests and overdoses, and learned about the day-to-day activities of EMS professionals.
Twenty-five students attended a similar camp offered by Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc. and Lehighton Ambulance Association in Carbon County earlier this summer. The Greene County Career and Technology Center also held a camp at the beginning of August.
“These hands-on activities give students a unique glimpse into the diverse and vital services that our EMS professionals provide every day,” said Dr. Wendy Braund, DOH Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection. “By 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's an investment in both their personal growth and the well-being of our Commonwealth.”
One of the primary goals of this pilot program is to recruit younger Pennsylvanians to the EMS profession. The students participating in the camps were taught to encourage one another and communicate effectively, mirroring the teamwork employed by EMS teams during emergency responses.
“In 2021, Pennsylvania's EMS agencies responded to an astounding 2.4 million emergency calls — nearly 7,000 calls per day, or five every minute — with only 1,259 agencies handling these critical situations,” said DOH Executive Deputy Secretary Kristen Rodack. “As the number of emergencies continues to rise each year, the need for dedicated individuals in the EMS profession becomes more urgent. We need students, like those we’ve met at the camps, to seriously consider a career in EMS, where they can make a significant impact on the health and safety of their communities.”
In Pennsylvania, individuals aged 16 and older can apply for EMS certification after completing courses and passing a DOH-recognized certification examination.
For more information on EMS educational programs, visit the FAQ page on the Department of Health’s website.
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