Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)

06/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Aj1tJvamT/

Why do EMS professionals avoid seeking mental health support—even when services are available?

A recent study explored the factors that influence whether Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employees seek psychological support and mental health services. The findings highlight a complex reality: **simply offering services may not be enough.**

The study found that barriers to seeking help often include:

🚑 Concerns about confidentiality and privacy

🚑 Fear of being judged or viewed differently by colleagues or leadership

🚑 Worries about potential impacts on career advancement or job security

🚑 A workplace culture that values toughness and self-reliance

🚑 Difficulty recognizing when stress has become significant enough to warrant professional support

At the same time, factors that encouraged help-seeking included:

✅ Supportive leadership

✅ Positive attitudes toward mental health care

✅ Trust in the confidentiality of services

✅ Mental health education and awareness

✅ Organizational cultures that normalize asking for help

What stood out to me is that this research reinforces an important message: **access alone does not equal utilization.**

If we truly want to improve mental health outcomes in EMS, we must move beyond simply providing resources and instead create environments where seeking support is viewed as a normal and expected part of maintaining wellness.

Mental health support should be as routine as maintaining clinical skills, checking equipment, or prioritizing physical safety.

Changing culture takes time, but every conversation that reduces stigma brings us one step closer to ensuring that EMS professionals receive the support they deserve.

💬 What do you think would make EMS personnel more comfortable accessing mental health services?

**Article Citation:**
Johnston, S., et al. (2025). *Why Do Emergency Medical Service Employees (Not) Seek Psychological Support?* *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22*(4), 629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040629

06/11/2026

🚜 Rural EMS providers—this one’s worth a look.
A July 20 Field Day is focused on real risks we see in the field: digesters, manure systems, and confined spaces.
Great opportunity to learn, connect, and stay sharp.
📅 July 20
🔗 Details & registration on the flier
https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/surveys/?s=ELKWPXHKJ8JXD778
Please share—awareness matters. 🚨

06/10/2026

🚑 **Pennsylvania EMS Professionals – We Need Your Input!**

EMS providers face unique challenges that can impact mental health, wellness, and job satisfaction. Researchers are conducting an IRB-approved, anonymous national survey to better understand burnout, mental health, coping strategies, and resource utilization among EMS professionals.

Your participation will help provide valuable insight into the experiences of EMS clinicians across Pennsylvania and the nation, while supporting future wellness initiatives for the EMS community.

✅ Takes less than 10 minutes to complete
✅ Completely anonymous – no names, IP addresses, agency identifiers, or personally identifiable information collected
✅ Includes information on available crisis and wellness resources
✅ Results will be reported only in aggregate

**Survey Link:**
https://redcap.slhn.org/surveys/?s=78TXYMHR4CE9N99T

The more Pennsylvania EMS professionals who participate, the stronger the data will be to help inform future provider wellness efforts. THE DEADLINE TO RESPOND IS AUGUST 31, 2026

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important research and for your continued service to your communities.

06/01/2026

June 1–7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week.

About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. If someone you love collapses, you could be the difference between life and death.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Learn Hands-Only CPR in 2 simple steps:
✅ Call 911
✅ Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

Be ready. Be a lifesaver. What if it were them?

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, PEHSC solemnly honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice protects the freedoms we enjoy and inspires our continued commitment to serving our communities.

As we gather with family and friends, we encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this day. Let us honor the fallen through service, remembrance, and gratitude.

We remember. We honor. We serve.

05/24/2026

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Pennsylvania EMS Award winners.

05/23/2026

💙 Thank You for Supporting EMS 💙

Thank you to everyone who supports emergency medical services and the dedicated professionals who serve our communities every day. EMS is more than a job—it’s a calling.
EMS providers give of themselves daily, answering calls at all hours, putting others first, and standing ready when emergencies strike. Their commitment, skill, and compassion save lives and strengthen communities across Pennsylvania and beyond.
EMS professionals deserve recognition not just during EMS Week, but every chance we get. Please join us in thanking EMS providers for their unwavering service and dedication.

We invite you to Join PEHSC as an Organization or Individual by applying on our site https://pehsc.org and strengthening Your Voice In EMS.

05/23/2026

On Friday May 22th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 EMS Agency of the Year Award, Small Agency Division to the City of Meadville Fire Department of Crawford County.

In 2023, the department took decisive action to address the growing EMS crisis by launching a fire-based EMS program to ensure reliable, high-quality prehospital care for its community. In just two years, the agency has grown to handle more than 2,500 EMS calls annually, including nearly 400 responses outside the City of Meadville, demonstrating both operational capacity and regional commitment.

Beyond emergency response, the department has prioritized prevention and community engagement. Personnel routinely provide CPR, Stop-the-Bleed, and public safety education programs to schools, businesses, and community groups, strengthening resilience and empowering citizens to act in critical moments. The department also partnered with Meadville Medical Center to develop a paramedic training program, helping to cultivate the next generation of advanced life support providers and address workforce shortages locally.

Further expanding its impact, the department secured federal appropriations funding to launch a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, connecting vulnerable residents with healthcare resources, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits, and improving overall patient outcomes.

The Meadville Fire Department has consistently stepped forward when others could not, embracing innovation, collaboration, and service. Most importantly, its members provide compassion, professionalism, and hope to citizens during some of the darkest and most vulnerable moments of their lives.

For its leadership, growth, and unwavering dedication to community health, the Meadville Fire Department exemplifies EMS excellence in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council
Pennsylvania Department of Health
EMMCO West

05/23/2026

On Thursday May 21th, PEHSC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS had the opportunity to present the 2026 EMS Agency of the Year Award, Large Agency Division to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority of Allegheny County.

Originating in 1977, McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority holds itself to the highest standards to ensure EMS excellence. They earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) in 2024. Utilizing a fleet of six ambulances, and operating from three stations, its 41 clinical staff respond to nearly 10,000 EMS calls per year across five communities.

MFPAA personnel completed 2,962 hours of training in 2025. They have consistently received the American Heart Association “Gold Status” for Cardiac and Stroke Care. In 2025, McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority had 22 successful CPR resuscitations.

To strengthen community outreach, they conduct public vaccine clinics, CPR/AED classes, child car seat checks, and countless athletic event standbys for local schools. MFPAA educates its community with emergency preparedness drills at schools, faith-based, and other organizations. MFPAA partnered with its local Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon on emergency preparedness and participates in Community Day for each of its communities. Annually, MFPAA hosts an Open House to kick-off National EMS Week.

MFPAA proudly provided over 4,400 hours of precepting EMS students from: Community College of Allegheny County, Pitt/Center for Emergency Medicine, Indiana University of PA, and their local vo-tech school.

MFPAA is active with the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, the Ambulance Association of PA, the American Ambulance Association, EMS West Regional Council, the Allegheny County EMS Council, Western PA EMS Honor Guard, and other industry related entities. Emphasizing provider and patient safety, MFPAA has a very active State Certified Workplace Safety Committee. MFPAA is honored to participate in a National Institute of Health study utilizing our Community Paramedics to assist Patients Living With Dementia (PLWD) and their families.

Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health
EMS West

05/23/2026

Saturday — EMS Remembrance Day
🕯️ EMS Week 2026 | EMS Remembrance Day 🕯️

Today we pause to remember and honor EMS professionals who have died in the line of duty, holding their families, partners, and agencies in our hearts.
Emergency medical services is a vital public service, and the commitment to respond, no matter the hour, reflects extraordinary dedication.

We remember.
We honor.
We carry their legacy forward through service and teamwork.