The Minnesota State Legislature has formed a task force to address staff shortages and long emergency service wait times after a new report found that many young entrants to the field are leaving the profession at a time when demand for their services is rising.
Not only that, but there is a significant deficit of almost 3,000 EMS providers showing those entering the system compared to those who are leaving the profession.
Of those who are making an exit, nearly 40% noted they are leaving due to low wages, and 44.5% of the departures are coming from EMS hires under 30 years old, according to the report.
The shortages have made wait times longer, leaving some communities in the state to wait up to 90 minutes for services, according to CBS News.
The state's newly formed task force convened on the issue for the first time Dec. 8. Its focus will be to evaluate possible solutions and submit a new report to the full legislature by 2025.