I recently heard a partner tell a patient that they are their "own best advocate." It's true – nobody is better at telling us about our patients' needs or experiences than they are. 

That got me thinking – is the same true for EMS agencies? 

Not quite. In fact, as an industry, we may very well be our own worst advocates. We tell our story infrequently to policymakers, the press and the public – and almost always in the same breath that we're asking for help.  

As a result, EMS has come to be the forgotten safety net in many communities – top-of-mind only for those who need us.  

But we shouldn't accept this as our reality. Consider it a wake-up call. 

In Connecticut, EMS providers recently came together to urge state legislators to include EMS providers in proposed legislation that would provide tuition assistance as a recruitment incentive for first responders. This is a prime example of the voice our industry can have – and an opportunity to make sure we're not left behind once again as an industry – but the real work lies ahead. 

We know better than anyone the work that we do, the challenges we face, and what we need to future-proof our operations. These are the stories that we – and only we – can tell. And, if we want to build sustainable EMS systems, they are the stories we must tell.  

Have questions, or want to discuss further? Get in touch here.