EMS Corps
EMS Corps
The EMS Corps Program Model
The EMS Corps Program Model
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...combines rigorous EMT training
More than double the hours of a standard EMT program + job readiness and career exposure
…with, robust wraparound support
Counseling, coaching, mentorship, monthly stipend, and job placement
…in a 5 month,
cohort-based
program
program
20 per cohort, aged 18-26, facing barriers to careers in EMS, allied health & fire
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Divider Text
The EMS Corps Program Model
The EMS Corps Program Model
...combines rigorous EMT training
More than double the hours of a standard EMT program + job readiness and career exposure
…with, robust wraparound support
Counseling, coaching, mentorship, monthly stipend, and job placement
…in a 5-month,
cohort-based program
cohort-based program
20 per cohort, aged 18-26, facing barriers to careers in EMS, allied health & fire
Impact
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500+ graduates
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40% navigated the foster care or justice system
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85%+ WIOA eligible
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85%+ program completion rate
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85%+ employment rate 1yr
after program completion
after program completion
Watch to learn more!
Impact
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500+ graduates
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40% navigated the foster care or justice system
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85%+ WIOA eligible
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85%+ program completion rate
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85%+ employment rate 1yr
after program completion
after program completion
Watch to learn more!
Updates
Here's what's new!
Here's what's new!
Click the links below to find out what’s new across the EMS Corps sites
Updates
Here's what's new!
Here's what's new!
Click the links below to find out what’s new across the EMS Corps sites
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Real people. Real results.
HEAR FROM
A RECENT GRADUATE
HEAR FROM
A RECENT GRADUATE
Hundreds of young people have graduated EMS Corps and are working as EMTs, paramedics, fire fighters, nurses, doctors, law enforcement officers and more!
Impact
IN NEW MEXICO
IN NEW MEXICO
EMS Corps came to New Mexico in 2021, establishing an Albuquerque site in partnership with New Mexico CYFD, Albuquerque Fire and Rescue and the University of New Mexico.
Since launch...
Since launch...
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90+ young adults have graduated in its 2+ years of operation
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Over half were involved with child-welfare, foster care or the juvenile justice system
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90% are employed 12 months after graduation; 80% working in EMS, Fire or Public Safety
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More than a third were Native American from Sovereign Lands
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60/40 male/female
33% Native American
33% Latinx. 12% Black
33% Native American
33% Latinx. 12% Black
Watch to learn more!
Impact
NEW MEXICO
NEW MEXICO
EMS Corps came to New Mexico in 2021, establishing an Albuquerque site in partnership with New Mexico CYFD, Albuquerque Fire and Rescue and the University of New Mexico.
Since launch...
Since launch...
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90+ young adults have graduated in its 2+ years of operation
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Over half were involved with child-welfare, foster care or the juvenile justice system
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90% are employed 12 months after graduation; 80% working in EMS, Fire or Public Safety
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More than a third were Native American from Sovereign Lands
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60/40 male/female
33% Native American
33% Latinx.
12% Black
33% Native American
33% Latinx.
12% Black
Watch to learn more!
Powered by PWA
Public Works Alliance (PWA) is a social justice non-profit focused on creating stronger, more equitable public systems by shifting power and agency to the communities they serve through systems change and workforce development.
Formed by founders of Alameda EMS Corps, part of PWA’s mission is to expand this successful model across California and the rest of the country.
In addition to the California Expansion, programs have been established or are in the planning phases in Albuquerque, New Mexico, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Newark, New Jersey.
PWA Partners with local government and community leadership to:
PWA Partners with local government and community leadership to:
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Convene a collaborative of local supporters, stakeholders
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Fundraise
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Building local infrastructure and capacity
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Train the local team and assist in the program launch
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Collect data and support local teams maintain fidelity to the model after transitioning it to local leadership
Expansion
NATIONAL
MODEL
NATIONAL
MODEL
MODEL
EMS Corps is now a national model for mitigating a shortage of EMS workers while providing career pathways for young people facing barriers to employment including insecure housing, system involvement and racism.
EMS Corps locations
EMS Corps locations
PWA has partnered with communities across the country to establish EMS Corps sites adapted to local factors while maintaining high fidelity to the program model.
Alameda County, CA
- In partnership with LEMSA
- Launched 2012
10 Site CA Expansion
- In partnership with the CA EDD
- Launched 2025
New Mexico
- In partnership with New Mexico CYFD
- Launched 2021
City EMT, San Francisco
- In partnership with SF Fire
- Launched 2021
New Orleans
- In partnership with City of New Orleans, New Orleans EMS, and New Orleans Career Center
- Launched 2025
Newark, NJ
- In partnership with Newark Opportunity Youth Network and GreenLight Fund
- Launched 2024
Funding
HOW IS EMS CORPS FUNDED?
HOW IS EMS CORPS FUNDED?
Public funding is critical to the program’s long-term sustainability and in securing commitments from public system partners.
The impact of EMS Corps is felt by so many aspects of the community it appeals to a range of funders, enabling a braided funding strategy. In addition to distributing the financial burden of the program, it also drives important collaborations from public departments and stakeholders including:
1. Local Workforce Development
2. Local Child-Serving Systems
3. Public Health Departments
4. Philanthropy
High Fidelity
ADHERING TO CORE PRINCIPLES
ADHERING TO CORE PRINCIPLES
The key to the sustainability of EMS Corps in new sites is maintaining high program fidelity while adapting to local factors. Connective tissue co-created with the community it serves is designed into the model.
Elements of the program to which all sites adhere include:
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A robust wrap around support component
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An earned, monthly stipend
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Opportunities for community service
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Career counseling and job readiness training throughout the program and job placement post graduation
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Collecting data on:
- Graduation and NREMT exam pass rates
- Employment
- Student/graduate outlook
- Student and staff experiences through surveys and qualitative interviews
Deep Local Connection
ADAPTING TO LOCAL DYNAMICS
ADAPTING TO LOCAL DYNAMICS
The key to the sustainability of EMS Corps in new sites is maintaining high program fidelity while adapting to local factors. Connective tissue co-created with the community it serves is designed into the model.
Also key to the program’s success is its ability to adapt to suit local factors by:
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Enlisting community partners early in the design phase
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Depending on local providers to optimize the student experience and wrap around support
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Frequently eliciting feedback from students and staff and apply learning to evolve around local factors.
As a result, Each EMS Corps site is unique in its structure, funding strategy, partner collaborative and the communities they serve. The make-up of success measures can even vary from site to site.
Scaling a successful program
ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
PWA minimizes the administrative burden of local teams by deploying streamlined systems that enable local teams to focus on the students.
PWA's digital platform serves as a single solution for:
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Marketing the site and managing its application and review process
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Automating/managing regular communication with students and prospects
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Housing digital curriculum
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Tracking satisfaction and employment
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Data collection and storage; performance tracking across key metrics
Scaling a successful program
ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
PWA minimizes the administrative burden of local teams by deploying streamlined systems that enable local teams to focus on the students.
PWA's digital platform serves as a single solution for:
check
Marketing the site and managing its application and review process
check
Automating/managing regular communication with students and prospects
check
Housing digital curriculum
check
Tracking satisfaction and employment
check
Data collection and storage; performance tracking across key metrics
Ongoing data collection, learning, optimizing
TRACKING. LEARNING. APPLYING.
TRACKING. LEARNING. APPLYING.
Continuous learning enables us to keep evolving the model to suit local needs and factors.
Detailed student and staff satisfaction surveys, exit interviews and employment tracking along with ongoing active listening to staff and students provide data that can inform improvements across the program.
As new sites are added, opportunities to convene around best practices and resource sharing will expand.
Ongoing data collection, learning, optimizing
TRACKING. LEARNING. APPLYING.
TRACKING. LEARNING. APPLYING.
Continuous learning enables us to keep evolving the model to suit local needs and factors.
Detailed student and staff satisfaction surveys, exit interviews and employment tracking along with ongoing active listening to staff and students provide data that can inform improvements across the program.
As new sites are added, opportunities to convene around best practices and resource sharing will expand.
Want to work with us?
LET’S GET IN TOUCH
LET’S GET IN TOUCH
Learn how EMS Corps and Public Works Alliance can help make in impact in your community
