Meeting the Challenge: How the Medic One Foundation is Tackling the Paramedic Shortage

Across Seattle and the nation, a growing shortage of paramedics is putting strain on emergency services at a time when demand for life-saving care is higher than ever. At the Medic One Foundation (MOF), we’ve been working tirelessly to address this urgent challenge and ensure that every call for help is met with the highest level of care.

MOF works in close collaboration with EMS and Fire Chiefs, the University of Washington, and the Medic One Paramedic Training Program (PMT) to develop innovative solutions to the staffing shortage. These regular meetings, backed by the generosity of our donors, have enabled us to take bold and proactive steps to ensure our region remains a global leader in prehospital emergency care.

How We’re Solving the Problem

Thanks to your support, we’ve implemented significant initiatives to expand and strengthen the PMT program, including:
  • Paramedic Training Strategic Planning: With a five-year strategic plan in place, we’ve created a roadmap to address long-term training and staffing needs.
  • Increased Training Capacity: We’ve expanded PMT’s annual class size from 24 to 32 students, allowing more paramedics to join the workforce each year.
  • State-of-the-Art Equipment: Donations totaling $750,000 have enabled us to provide advanced training tools and infrastructure, ensuring students receive the best possible education.
  • New Training Facility: Together with Harborview Medical Center leadership, we’ve built a 3,300-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility equipped with cutting-edge technology and audio-visual capabilities.
  • Accelerated Training Pathways: To address immediate staffing needs, we’ve worked with PMT to design expedited training programs.

Thanks to these efforts, the current PMT Class 51 has 30 students—the largest in the program’s history—and is on track to train 32 paramedics annually moving forward. Over the next five years, these improvements will enable PMT to train 160 new paramedics, meeting critical regional needs.

Scaling for the Future

We’re not stopping there. MOF is actively collaborating with EMS and fire departments to explore ways of training an additional 8 students annually, increasing the program’s total capacity to 40 graduates per year. This ensures that Seattle and other areas experiencing acute shortages have guaranteed seats in the program, so no community goes underserved.

The Power of Partnerships

This progress would not be possible without the unwavering support of our community partners, including Seattle Fire Department, the University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital, Swedish Medical Center, and US Anesthesia Partners (USAP). Together, we’ve strengthened clinical rotations and expanded capacity, giving paramedic students the hands-on experience they need to be prepared for anything.

A Legacy of Excellence

For more than 50 years, the Medic One Foundation has been the primary funder of the PMT program. This unique program is free from government budget cuts and produces paramedics trained to the equivalent of a first-year medical resident. PMT graduates are equipped to deliver life-saving care when it matters most, from cardiac arrests to strokes, pediatric emergencies, and trauma.

Building the Pipeline

To ensure a steady stream of future paramedics, MOF also supports recruitment efforts by funding EMT scholarships through North Seattle College. These scholarships provide aspiring students with opportunities to join life-saving professions, helping to secure the future of emergency medical care in our region.

We Need Your Support

The Medic One Foundation remains committed to supporting Seattle and the surrounding region’s emergency response efforts. But we can’t do it without you. Community support is critical to ensuring that PMT remains a world-class training program and continues to meet the growing demand for paramedics.

Your contributions directly empower us to train the paramedics who save lives every day. Together, we can ensure that our region remains a leader in emergency medical care, ready to respond to every call for help with expertise and compassion.

Join Us Today

Be part of the solution. Support the Medic One Foundation with a donation and help us train the paramedics who are there for us in our most critical moments.

Click here to learn more or to make a contribution.

Together, we can save lives.