Our Mission, Values, Vision and Strategy/Tactics

• Our Mission

  The mission of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is to represent and serve emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics, and support personnel through advocacy, education, and research.  

• Our Values

  We believe that:

  • EMS is a distinct and essential service to the public and a fundamental component of our nation’s healthcare and emergency response systems. Local, state, and federal government authorities as well as commercial insurers must share the responsibility for adequately funding EMS.
  • EMS is uniquely positioned to support our nation’s healthcare and emergency response systems by providing high quality emergent, urgent, and preventive patient care delivered by qualified EMS practitioners trained to assess, treat, and navigate patients to the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
  • All communities have the right to determine the EMS delivery model(s) that best meets their needs and resources.
  • The EMS workforce deserve a safe, healthy, and respectful work environment, and should receive appropriate compensation for the lifesaving health care they provide to their patients and their critical role in responding to disasters, public health crises, and mass casualty incidents.
  • The EMS workforce should reflect the demographics of the communities in which it serves.  National and state EMS associations have a responsibility to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the EMS profession.
  • The EMS industry has a responsibility to develop future industry leaders through professional development and mentorship opportunities.
  • Collaboration within the EMS industry and within the larger healthcare community is essential to addressing the key challenges in delivering high-quality EMS.
  • The provision of EMS should be based on the latest evidence and best practices.
  • EMS must be supported by education and certification systems that produce well-trained, resilient professionals qualified to provide the patient care demanded of their positions.
  • Emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics should be represented by a professional association committed to advancing their profession, representing their professional interests and serving their professional and educational needs, irrespective of the workplace setting they choose to use their education, training and certification.

  
  

  We shall conduct all NAEMT business with integrity and transparency, and adhere to the ethical standards of our profession.

  
  

• Our Vision

  NAEMT will focus its efforts and resources in support of these values by actively:

  • Advocating for appropriate funding for all EMS agencies and personnel from all delivery models and workplace settings.
  • Educating government and healthcare leaders on the value of EMS to our nation’s healthcare and emergency response systems.
  • Advocating for and supporting the health, safety, well-being and resilience of the EMS workforce.
  • Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the EMS workforce and encouraging and supporting EMS recruitment from underrepresented communities.
  • Advocating for education and certification systems that support well-trained and qualified EMTs, Advanced EMTs and paramedics.
  • Developing and disseminating high quality, evidence-based education that strengthens and enhances the knowledge, skills, and resilience of the EMS workforce, and EMTs, Advanced EMTs, paramedics and specialty paramedics working in other settings. 
  • Providing professional development and mentorship opportunities to EMS personnel interested in serving in EMS leadership positions.
  • Communicating the professional opportunities and career pathways available to certified or licensed emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.

  
  

• Our Strategy/Tactics

  1. Advocate for appropriate funding from local, state, and federal government authorities as well as commercial insurers for all EMS agencies and personnel from all delivery models.
     • Support federal legislation that increases CMS reimbursement rates and expands the types of care eligible for reimbursement.
     • Support federal and state legislation that increases EMS funding.
     • Disseminate information about government EMS funding opportunities to the EMS community.
  2. Educate government and healthcare leaders and support legislation on the value of EMS to our nation’s healthcare and emergency response systems.
     • Educate congressional leaders and staff on the value of EMS and how Congress can support the critical service EMS provides at the community, state, and national levels.
     • Educate federal agency leaders and staff on the critical role EMS plays in healthcare and emergency response systems and how federal policies impact the effectiveness of EMS.
     • Educate leaders of national healthcare organizations on the role and value of EMS in local healthcare systems.
  3. Advocate for and support the health, safety, well-being and resilience of the EMS workforce.
     • Support federal legislation that addresses the health, safety, well-being and resilience of the EMS workforce.
     • Develop and disseminate high quality and evidence-based education and other resources to strengthen the health, safety, well-being and resilience of the EMS workforce.
  4. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the EMS workforce and encourage and support EMS recruitment from underrepresented communities.
     • Collaborate with other national EMS organizations, and EMS agency and education leaders to promote a diverse and inclusive EMS workforce and encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to attend EMS education programs.
     • Expand scholarship opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities to attend EMS education programs and provide these communities with information about scholarship and grant opportunities to cover the cost of EMS education.
  5. Understand and respond to the professional needs and interests of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.
     • Communicate with current and prospective members about the association’s programs, initiatives and benefits.
     • Conduct outreach to current and prospective members to learn about the key issues that are impacting them on the job and transmit findings to association committees and councils for consideration and action.
     • Develop and disseminate resources to current and prospective members on the variety of professional opportunities and career pathways open to emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.
  6. Collaborate with other EMS and healthcare organizations and government agencies on key EMS issues.
     • Work with key EMS organizations on federal EMS legislative initiatives.
     • Develop and strengthen relationships with national organizations that represent other healthcare providers and educate them on the value of EMS in in our nation’s healthcare system.
  7. Advocate for education and certification systems that support a well-trained, qualified EMS workforce.
     • Actively engage with national organizations that develop and oversee EMS education and certification systems to ensure that the needs of EMS agencies and practitioners are addressed.
     • Support research that identifies the competencies that EMS practitioners need to fully and effectively perform within their designated scopes of practice.
     • Advocate for evidence-based processes that identify best practices for initial EMS education programs to ensure qualified entry-level practitioners.
  8. Develop and disseminate high-quality, evidence-based education that strengthens and enhances the knowledge, skills, and resilience of EMS practitioners.
     • Develop and publish educational curricula that meets the needs of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.
     • Support and enhance our global system for disseminating education curricula through courses offered in live classrooms, virtual classrooms, and digitally.
     • Provide mentorship opportunities to emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.
     • Develop and publish affordable professional development training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, paramedics, and specialty paramedics.