I joined EMS a few years ago when the pandemic was kicking off and there was a big call for volunteers. Many of the folks I started with joined the big (privately owned) ambulance company that runs the show for half of the state. They’re making $15 an hour after 6 months of training.
The situation is even worse for Paramedics. Two additional years of education and student loans, most of which will be spent between an ambulance, a hospital, and the classroom, and not sleeping or enjoying life. For that effort, they are rewarded with a dead end position; a $30/hr wage with no hope of advancement.
It’s not exactly surprising to me that people would rather get into a booming industry like tech instead. People typically considers career prospects more than feeling good about their work.
The average person’s disdain for a 25¢ per household tax increase outweighs their concern for the inadequate treatment and wages of EMS workers.
Don’t even get me started on the ethical concerns of privatized EMS….