The EMS Staffing crisis by the numbers-2025

EMS is facing a staffing crisis that goes far beyond open positions.

20–30%
Annual paramedic & EMT turnover
At current turnover rates, the EMS workforce is effectively replaced every 3–4 years.

Source: American Ambulance Association, 2025 Workforce Turnover Study

59% Of agencies report not having enough staff to answer 911 calls
Staffing shortages aren't just an operational challenge—they can directly affect the ability to respond when communities need emergency care.

Source: Fitch & Associates / Pulsara, “What Paramedics Want: 2025 Industry Trend Report”

76% Of EMS respondents cite burnout as a critical issue
Burnout continues to place pressure on an already stretched workforce, contributing to retention challenges and making it harder to build an experienced EMS team.

Source: Fitch & Associates / Pulsara, “What Paramedics Want: 2025 Industry Trend Report”

Fewer Experienced People. Harder Jobs.
Training hasn't kept pace.
EMS is being asked to do more with fewer experienced professionals. High turnover, burnout, and staffing shortages create a cycle that puts additional pressure on the people who remain.

The challenge isn't simply finding more people.

It's building a workforce that is prepared, experienced, resilient, and ready for the demands of modern emergency medicine.

The EMS staffing crisis is here.
The question is: Are we preparing for what comes next?
Sources: American Ambulance Association, 2025 Workforce Turnover Study; Fitch & Associates / Pulsara, “What Paramedics Want: 2025 Industry Trend Report.”