Committee: Emergency Medical Services

2026 Mission:
The mission of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) Emergency Medical Services Committee is to serve in an advisory capacity to the MSFCA President and Board of Directors on issues affecting emergency medical services within Minnesota’s fire service.

2026 Report: 

 Emergency medical services remain a significant and evolving responsibility of Minnesota’s fire service. Increasing call volumes, workforce and staffing challenges, changing community needs, regulatory requirements, and evolving models of prehospital care continue to impact fire departments across the state.

 The EMS Committee provides a forum for fire service leaders to identify emerging issues, share experiences and best practices, and develop practical solutions that strengthen EMS delivery.

 The Committee works to ensure that Minnesota’s fire service has a strong and informed voice in discussions and decisions affecting the future of prehospital emergency medical care.

 The EMS Committee will:

• Monitor state and federal EMS legislation, regulations, standards, and emerging issues affecting fire departments.
• Provide recommendations to the MSFCA President and Board of Directors on EMS priorities and policy matters.
• Maintain communication and collaboration with OEMS, state agencies, legislators, EMS organizations, and other public safety partners.
• Identify workforce, staffing, education, credentialing, funding, and service-delivery challenges affecting fire-based EMS.
• Promote practical, consistent, and sustainable approaches to EMS education, operations, and patient care.
• Review lessons learned from significant incidents, emerging trends, and EMS systems in Minnesota and elsewhere to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend EMS-related education and leadership development opportunities for MSFCA conferences, workshops, and other programs.
• Advocate for the important role Minnesota fire departments play in the delivery of emergency medical services.
• Support innovation and thoughtful changes that improve responder safety, system effectiveness, and patient outcomes.

 Committee Meetings

 The EMS Committee meets quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled when necessary to address emerging issues or time-sensitive matters.

 Meetings may be conducted virtually or hosted by fire departments throughout Minnesota to encourage participation from members representing different regions, department sizes, and EMS delivery models.

 Our Commitment

 Minnesota’s fire service plays a critical role in the statewide EMS system. The MSFCA EMS Committee is committed to ensuring that fire service leaders are actively involved in shaping the policies, practices, and future direction of emergency medical services.

 Through collaboration, advocacy, education, and solution-based leadership, the Committee will work to strengthen fire-based EMS and support the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and compassionate emergency medical care to the communities we serve.