EMS Leadership Charts New Course: Focus on Financial Sustainability, Workforce Resilience and Advocacy
The EMS Chiefs, Managers, and Directors (CMD) met in Colorado Springs on September 24, 2025, for a crucial brainstorming and prioritization session, aimed at defining future educational topics and initiatives for EMS leaders. The discussions were detailed, honest and invigorating.
The day-long retreat was sponsored by Jon Cloutier, CEO and founder of LifeMed SAFETY. A paramedic himself, Jon has been active in EMS for decades and we extend our gratitude for his support of the EMS Chiefs, Managers, and Directors section of EMSAC. LifeMed Safety is a full-service EMS equipment partner — offering new and re-certified equipment sales, certified maintenance, preventive service programs, and rapid repairs.
The session successfully consolidated discussions into six critical, overarching focus areas: Finance, Operations, Professional Development, Health & Safety, Human Resources (HR), and Community & Government Relations.
The key takeaway from the meeting was a unified consensus: achieving sustainable EMS systems requires aligned efforts in strengthening leadership, improving financial literacy, enhancing workforce resilience, and professionalizing advocacy.
Key Priorities and Initiatives
1. Health & Safety: Building Resilient Providers
Addressing core issues like staff fatigue, stress, and staffing adequacy, the group prioritized the establishment of an EMS-specific wellness model. Educational goals include launching Peer Support and Resiliency training (dubbed "Path 4 EMS"), implementing annual wellness screening models (similar to NFPA 1582 standards), and developing fatigue management best practices. The goal is to build resilient providers through specialized training in mental health and active listening.
2. Human Resources (HR): Workforce Stability and Compliance
With retention and recruitment cited as major challenges, the focus in HR is on equipping leaders with practical tools. Educational priorities include strategies for recruitment and retention linked to total compensation, alongside essential legal and compliance training covering areas like HIPAA, FLSA, and OSHA documentation standards.
3. Finance: Securing Financial Sustainability
Recognizing the pressures of rising expenses and complex reimbursement, the CMD group identified the need to increase financial capacity across leadership. Educational priorities include training on reimbursement and billing best practices, foundational budgeting, and effective grant writing. The session also resulted in a clear Action Plan to advocate for supportive state legislation (e.g., HB 1088) and explore collective funding models like group grant applications.
4. Professional Development: Formalizing the Leadership Pipeline
To bridge leadership gaps, the meeting prioritized formalized career pathways. Initiatives include developing an EMS Leadership Academy aligned with national best practices and offering specialized foundational and advanced training modules, such as "Navigating Your New Position as an EMS Leader." The goal is to build a robust leadership pipeline focusing on clinical, supervisory, and managerial skill development.
5. Community & Government Relations: Unified Advocacy
The primary challenge identified was the public's misunderstanding of EMS costs and value. The action plan focuses on strengthening advocacy and messaging at the local and state levels. Initiatives will focus on educating the public and stakeholders on the true costs of service (911, IFTs, staffing) and improving internal communication channels regarding state-level issues.
6. Operations: Optimizing Deployment and Collaboration
To support operational efficiency, the group prioritized education modules focused on resource optimization. Key topics include a Deployment Education Module covering minimum requirements, mutual aid, and cost considerations, and a Shared Services Module aimed at building economies of scale through regional collaboration and the establishment of ambulance authorities.
Recommended Next Steps for Implementation
The CMD group outlined several key steps to move from discussion to action in early 2026:
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Prioritize the 2026 Education Calendar with the immediate launch of pilot courses in Leadership, Financial Literacy, and Resiliency. -
Assign Small Working Groups for each of the six themes to define detailed curriculum outlines and partnership strategies.
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Develop a Shared Collaboration Platform to improve document access and idea exchange, moving beyond email silos.
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Engage State and Local Stakeholders to align advocacy and funding efforts.
The whiteboard notes of the day's work may be read here.