EMT workforce shrinks slowly as Iowa EMS ages and volunteers falter
Iowa's 2024 EMS report shows EMTs at 6131 and total clinicians at 10710, the smallest declines since 2019. Many EMTs advance to AEMT or paramedic and later leave for nursing, while volunteer staffing remains a major challenge with 63 percent fully volunteer and 10 percent partly volunteer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Health and Human Services Department
EMS
Anna Demuth
North Benton
Andy Ney
Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association
Paramount Ambulance
Dubuque
Iowa
Ney
Iowa EMS certification changes and levy measures in Iowa
Iowa faces EMS staffing pressures as certification levels remain four deep EMR EMT AEMT and paramedics while rural services consider paid or hybrid models. Reimbursement lag and inflation strain wages pushing counties to expand EMS levies and tax authorizations to fund equipment facilities and training to aid recruitment and retention. Local officials highlight use of levy funds for training and capital needs while seeking legislative protections and better insurer rate negotiations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ney
Medicare
Jones County
Whitney Hein
Brenda Leonard
Jones County Emergency Management
Leonard
EMT Training Expands as Ambulance Services Host Courses
Demuth of North Iowa EMS leads an EMT certification class hosted with Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines. The program, now allowed under 2021 state law to be hosted by ambulance services, is online with weekly in person reviews in Des Moines and Vinton. Three students already drive for the ambulance service and seek EMT credentials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
North Benton
Dennis Bramow
Anna Demuth
Vinton
Demuth
Iowa
Appanoose
Butler
Cass
Hamilton
Jefferson
Sac
Tama
Buchanan
Floyd
Guthrie
Page
Taylor
Jones County
North Benton Ambulance Services
North Benton Ambulance
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines
No, we cannot just justify risk with pay
A spokesperson argues the career is one of the riskiest in the country and calls for a more fulfilling role for newcomers. They say improving the compensation package could attract entrants and improve overall fulfillment.
Also Mentioned on This Page
EMR
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Paramedic
Jackson Graham
Center Point Ambulance
Deidrik Lundtvedt
Mount Auburn
Savannah Blake
the Gazette
Emily.andersen
Thegazette
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