SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. – Today, State Rep. John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) hosted a remote public meeting with regional Emergency Medical Services boards and over 80 EMS workers to engage in a discussion about the state of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) since the onset of COVID-19. A bipartisan group of representatives were in attendance: Rep. Jamie-Becker Finn (DFL-Roseville), Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth), and Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar). Attendees and legislators primarily focused on recruitment and retention of EMS volunteers, which has been an ongoing challenge pre-pandemic. NBC reported last year that 1/3 of rural America faces an EMS shortage.
“This is certainly not a new problem, but an important one we must address, especially now more than ever,” said Rep. Huot. “Our EMS workers, most of whom are volunteers, are on the frontlines working hard to keep us all safe and healthy every day. My job is to listen and do all I can to help these first responders get the resources they need.”
Many volunteer EMS workers on the call expressed concerns about retaining current volunteers, as many are older, more likely to contract the virus, and are close to retirement age.
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