Fire and EMS Recruitment and Retention

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The number of volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics has decreased across the Commonwealth from over 300,000 in the 1970s to less than 38,000 active members today, according to statistical data. Fewer trained personnel are responding to requests for emergency service, thus challenging overall system performance. Failure to address the problem will ultimately result in expansion of paid staffing and related tax increases.Erie County is meeting this crisis head-on by establishing a Fire and EMS Recruitment and Retention subcommittee. The purpose of the subcommittee is to evaluate ongoing influences leading to the steady decline of first responders resulting in a delay of emergency response to the citizens of Erie County in their greatest time of need.