𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Elmore County is taking part in an EMS workforce study that identifies ongoing staffing shortages, rising service demands, and the need for a stronger pipeline of trained emergency medical professionals.

Rather than treating the study as a static report, local leaders are using it as a foundation for a coordinated workforce development strategy that brings together education, emergency management, technical training, and local government.

Recent data shows that demand for EMTs and paramedics in Elmore County is growing rapidly, projected at +91% for EMTs and +119% for paramedics over the next decade.

“A strong education pipeline is needed, and I have committed to starting a program for our region and expect it to grow rapidly,” said Jeff Lynn, president of Central Alabama Community College.

The EMS study will validate the occupational data that will allow CACC to quickly start a program that will have stability for years to come.

“One of the biggest challenges is hiring a strong full-time EMS Instructor for this program, said Lynn. “CACC will need a full-time person to get the program started as a non-credit program and then do the necessary work to make the program become a Credit Program.”

The study will further help the community to build a world-class EMS program that will also change the lives of the students and directly help to save the lives of the citizens.

With the growing population in Elmore County, there is a significant need for a study to help all public safety, elected officials, and the EMS Board to have a full understanding of the number of emergency medical calls and how that relates to the number of emergency ambulances that EMS has operating within the county.

“Just getting vendors to bid on providing emergency ambulance coverage has been a struggle,” said Keith Barnett, director of Elmore County Emergency Management Agency. “We have not increased the number of ambulances in the Elmore County EMS Board contract in several years. This study should help us better negotiate terms in our future EMS contracts.”

The study will also help educate citizens and decision makers on what resources and funding will be needed in the future to help save lives.

The lack of training programs for EMR, EMT, and Paramedics in the area is another challenge.

Elmore County Technical Center has a Public Safety Program that includes firefighting and emergency services, but they do not offer EMR, EMT, or Paramedic certifications. The lack of training programs, both high school and collegiate, is leading to staff shortages.

“Having career opportunities close to home makes their goals feel more achievable and relevant,” said Emilie Johnson, director of Elmore County Technical Center. “It can also help to build a stronger local workforce by increasing the chance they will stay and work locally, after completing their education.”

This study will ensure Elmore County has a strong and prepared EMS workforce to meet the community’s current and future emergency medical needs.

As Elmore County moves forward, leaders say the EMS study has created a framework for lasting collaboration across education, workforce development, and emergency services, with the shared goal of strengthening the county’s future public safety workforce.​​​