Newsletter
Newsletter
Rapid Response Report
Monthly Industry News for EMS Professionals
CDC Releases Ebola Advisory: What EMS & 911 Professionals Should Know
Emergency medical teams across the United States are being urged to remain vigilant following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health advisory issued on May 19 regarding an Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa. The alert highlights growing concerns over reported cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. While the CDC states that the overall risk to the U.S. remains low, international travel can still introduce potential exposure, making awareness and preparedness essential for frontline responders. The affected regions have reported hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths, prompting the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a global public health emergency. Although it is unlikely that EMS personnel in the U.S. will encounter Ebola during routine calls, first responders play a critical role in recognizing early warning signs and safely managing travelers from affected areas who may require emergency care. To reduce transmission risks and protect both patients and responders, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) recommends a simple approach: identify potential cases early, isolate when appropriate, and report concerns through the proper channels. NETEC has also released several Ebola response resources to help EMS and 911 professionals stay prepared, including EMSspecific strategies, procedural guidance for special pathogens, and infectious disease response tools. These resources are designed to help agencies respond with confidence, safeguard their communities, and maintain readiness. While Ebola cases remain concentrated abroad, staying informed and following established protocols remain among the strongest defenses against highly infectious diseases.
EMS Week 2026 Highlights the Power of Teamwork in Emergency Response
During National EMS Week 2026 (May 17–23), EMS professionals across Texas and the U.S. were recognized under the theme “Improving Outcomes, Together.” The week highlighted the teamwork between dispatchers, EMS crews, ER staff, and trauma specialists who work together to improve patient care, while also celebrating the expanding role of EMS in healthcare. Industry leaders noted that today’s EMS providers face increasingly complex calls and must make rapid clinical decisions while serving as critical links in the healthcare system. For those working around-the-clock shifts, EMS Week was both a celebration of their dedication and a reminder that every response matters—and teamwork remains essential to saving lives.
EMS: Essential in Practice, Underfunded in Reality
Emergency medical services are a necessity for many communities, but the funding behind them is another story. Ambulance and rescue teams are on call 24/7, but the costs of maintaining vehicles, equipment and trained personnel continue to rise while reimbursement rates struggle to keep pace. This has put many EMS organizations under increasing financial pressure just to stay in business. The problem is not just about ambulance transport. Rescue squads also provide vital services such as water rescues, vehicle extrications, rope rescues and emergency standby support for fires and major incidents. These life-saving efforts keep the public safe every day, but many are not directly reimbursed by insurance, meaning agencies depend heavily on community support, fundraising and volunteer contributions. The reality is simple: EMS is a critical public safety service communities rely on, but the funding model often does not fully appreciate its full value. As costs climb, sustainable funding options will be necessary to allow emergency responders to continue providing the care and protection that residents depend on when they need it most.
Texas EMS Pushes for Blood Access
Texas EMS leaders continue to advocate for greater access to whole blood on ambulances, particularly for trauma patients where every minute counts. Expanding blood availability in the field would allow emergency crews to begin critical treatment sooner, improving a patient’s chances of survival before reaching the hospital. The effort reflects a broader shift in emergency medicine, with EMS teams taking on a larger role in advanced patient care rather than simply providing transportation. For Texas responders, it marks an important step toward bringing lifesaving interventions directly to the scene and improving outcomes earlier in the chain of survival.