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Insider analysis: Fla. county’s $10K sign-on bonus — quick fix or deeper issue?

With 17 paramedic vacancies, the county turns to sign-on bonuses, but will it solve the real problem?

What happened: Escambia County, Florida, is ramping up recruitment efforts for paramedics in response to increasing demand and staffing shortages. As of Feb. 13, 2025, the county reported 17 paramedic openings — up from 11 in October — prompting officials to offer a $10,000 sign-on bonus and flexible scheduling to attract new hires. Despite these incentives, wages remain close to, but not quite at, the county’s living wage.

MORE | Fla. county EMS seeks higher wages, schedule changes in larger recruitment effort

Highlights

Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:

  • Staffing shortages compound operational strain. The growing gap in paramedic staffing places significant pressure on existing personnel, leading to mandatory overtime, increased workloads and potential burnout.
  • Sign-on bonuses may mask deeper issues. While financial incentives help with immediate recruitment, they do not address underlying problems such as workplace culture, retention and long-term job satisfaction.
  • A broader EMS workforce crisis. Escambia County’s struggle reflects a national trend in EMS staffing, where low wages and high job demands push professionals toward better-paying, lower-stress alternatives.

The path forward

Escambia County’s approach underscores the urgent need for sustainable workforce solutions in EMS. While sign-on bonuses may provide short-term relief, a comprehensive strategy — including competitive wages, improved working conditions, and career development opportunities — is essential for long-term retention. Without systemic change, EMS agencies nationwide may continue to face critical staffing shortages.

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Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C

Ed is a managing partner and chief executive officer of Overrun Productions, LLC; and co-host of The Overrun Podcast. Ed is a recovering medical student and paramedic.

His academic interests are in healthcare policy, team leadership and development, resuscitation and EMS medicine. Before attending medical school, he was a field preceptor and EMS educator for 10 years.

A second-generation paramedic, Ed works to inform the public about the importance of EMS and strives to encourage other EMS providers to move the profession forward using the most up-to-date data and technology.

He is a fan of old movies, the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Daniel Schwester, MICP

Daniel Schwester has been a paramedic since 2000. He has served in a variety of roles including education, field training, clinical supervision and active practice as a paramedic.

He is the managing partner of Overrun Productions, LLC; and a co-host of The Overrun Podcast.

He is married to Jennifer, and is father to Caroline and William. He resides in Toms River, New Jersey.