LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky's ambulance services are hemorrhaging emergency medical service (EMS) providers according to a report given to state lawmakers on Tuesday.
John Holder, with the state's Board of Emergency Medical Services, told lawmakers that Kentucky is losing more paramedics than it's gaining.
Holder said there are some agencies that don't even have enough paramedics to staff ambulances.
"Only 40% of our providers are now affiliated with a service; so that means less than half of those who are certified are actually going to work on an ambulance and treat members of their community," Holder said. "It truly is a crisis. I mean, we have services that are going to shut down if we can't find a solution to this problem."
Holder said they have tried to change some rules and regulations to make it easier for providers, but many are still leaving because they feel stretched thin.
Anyone interested in becoming a paramedic can learn about Kentucky's requirements here.
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