A news report by Mississippi Today is shining a light on the issues EMS providers are dealing with, much like they are around the country.
Many of the state’s EMS leadership say problems – low wages and staffing shortages – have especially been troublesome because of the ongoing issues from COVID-19.
Here are some of the best quotes from the article.
“This is the first time I’ve had to compete with fast food restaurants for entry-level employees. EMTs start at $14 an hour. You can make that a fast-food place or grocery store.” — Gregory Michael Cole, Covington County Hospital’s ambulance services director
“When the domino tips, it’s going to be a huge tipping effect. One company caves, and an area goes without an ambulance, and the others are stretched too thin they won’t be able to compensate and help cover that area.” — Tyler Blalock, chief executive officer of Rural Rapid Response
“Ideally, we would see two to three times as many EMTs as paramedics because, long term, those are the replacements for paramedics that leave the workforce while also filling the need for the EMT role.” — Ryan Wilson, clinical manager for American Medical Response-Central MS
“Now is the time to use 911 for life-threatening emergencies or limb-threatening emergencies. People think because they come in an ambulance they’re going to get put into the first line, that just isn’t true.” — Julia Clarke, president of the Mississippi Ambulance Alliance
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