HARRISBURG, PA — Emergency medical services agencies across Pennsylvania are receiving $6.6 million in state funding aimed at hiring, training, and equipping responders to improve emergency response times and patient care.
What This Means for You
- Faster EMS response times in emergencies
- Better-equipped ambulances and trained personnel
- Expanded recruitment and retention efforts for first responders
The funding, included in the 2025–26 state budget signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, will be distributed through the EMS Operating Fund, a dedicated funding source that supports emergency medical services statewide.
Emergency medical services, or EMS, are the frontline responders who provide urgent medical care, stabilize patients, and transport them to hospitals during emergencies.
How the Funding Will Be Used
State officials said $4.5 million of the total will go directly to Pennsylvania’s 13 Regional EMS Councils, which oversee local EMS agencies and coordinate training, inspections, and equipment distribution.
These councils support agencies that collectively respond to more than 2.2 million residents each year.
The remaining funding will support recruitment and retention programs, upgrades to the state’s EMS registry system, and pilot programs designed to improve how emergency calls are handled.
“EMS professionals are called to care for people in their times of need and when they arrive, we expect them to be well-trained and equipped to respond,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen.
Where the Money Is Going
Funding allocations to regional councils include:
- EMS West received $1,061,632.88
- Emergency Health Services Federation received $649,270.59
- Eastern PA EMS Council received $461,123.19
- Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern PA received $369,141.97
- Emergency Medical Management Cooperative West received $331,252.87
- Philadelphia EMS Council received $310,004.42
- Seven Mountains EMS Council received $294,701.15
- Southern Alleghenies EMS Council received $280,912.03
- Montgomery County EMS Council received $184,242.57
- Bucks County Health Services received $154,124.96
- Chester County Department of Emergency Services received $143,312.74
- Lycoming, Tioga, Sullivan EMS received $143,347.93
- Delaware County EMS Council received $116,932.72
How the Program Is Funded
The EMS Operating Fund is primarily supported by fees tied to traffic violations, including a $20 surcharge on moving violations and a $50 fee for individuals entering the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, a pre-trial program for certain offenders.
Next Steps
State officials said the governor’s proposed 2026–27 budget includes an additional $6 million from the EMS Operating Fund to continue workforce investments and system improvements.
Recent initiatives also include higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services and a tuition assistance program offering up to $5,000 for individuals pursuing EMS certifications.
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