“Legislators, community organizations and EMS agencies across the country are identifying that EMS is struggling and that there is a perceived EMS crisis, a crisis that may come to impact anyone who needs medical care, is involved in an accident or otherwise has need for an ambulance.” – Learn more about the EMS crisis on page 70.

Here is the crisis facing the EMS system by-the-numbers.

19,875 – The number of YouTube views the “Start the Conversation” documentary, created by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Instructional Services Division, has received since its inception. It aims to raise mental health awareness for first responders. – Learn how organizations are starting the conversation about suicide prevention and mental health awareness on page 22.

7,000 bushels – Wayne County Regional Training Facility in Apple Creek, Ohio, has a 24-foot training silo that can hold roughly this amount of grain. This silo allows first responders to train in grain bin extractions while in a safe environment. – Read more on page 26.

40% – Newport News, Va.’s, police department is estimated to have this percentage of individuals with experience in the military or time spent in the Reserves. – Many departments are finding plenty of benefits when hiring veterans. Learn more on page 30.

500 – Nearly 500 private surveillance cameras have been registered with Madison, Wis.’s, police department since it launched the voluntary registration program in 2018. – Source

$359,500 – Ansonia Fire Department in Connecticut received a grant for this much from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; it will cover 95% of the cost to purchase new equipment, including 52 self-contained breathing apparatus with 20 additional face masks. – Source

50% – Maine’s Department of Public Safety found crime in the state is down by a rate of more than 50% over the last seven years and down by more than 9% over the last year alone. – Source

NEXT: First responders have unique grain bin rescue training option