The Emergency Medical Service Public Advocacy Council presents this policy platform to advance EMS workers. We aim to increase public awareness of our issues and improve inter-agency solidarity as a national service. We encourage broader unity of effort across every service delivery model: municipal 911, voluntary hospital-based 911, private contract staffing of voluntary hospital 911, private interfacility transport, and community volunteers.
The full platform is set out article by article in the EMS Bill of Rights — our program for national EMS in 2026.
Summary
The platform
01Start pay: EMT $35/hr, Paramedic $55/hr.
02Fully subsidized health plans.
0320-and-out pensions.
04Unlimited sick days with valid documentation.
05Six weeks PTO per year.
06Night differential 25%, weekend differential 20%.
07Longevity pay from year 4, rising every two years.
08Paid meal and bathroom breaks.
09Differentials for each EMS credential and a B.S. in Paramedicine.
10Standardized national uniform, individualized PPE, vests, de-escalation training, boot and laundry stipends.
11Educational scholarships to the next highest medical title.
12Elevated standards: B.S./M.S. paramedics and bridges to RN/PA/RT/MD.
1324 weeks of maternity and paternity leave.
14Death and disability benefit parity.
15Functional, engaging CISM and peer support.
16Make EMS a “uniformed service.”
17Make EMS an “essential service.”
18A federal EMS Corps.
19Expand community paramedicine, treatment in place and alternate destination.
20Equal pay and benefits for EMS deployed from fire and law enforcement agencies.
21Audit, merge and consolidate volunteer corps; $2,500 tax credits for viable operations.
22Complete revitalization of training, certification and CME.
23Demonetize actual emergency EMS.
24Develop third-service EMS, supported by the federal EMS Corps.
25One labor organization for all EMS workers.
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