Ambulance company sponsors next-gen paramedics to fill the gap amid shortage

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As a paramedic shortage plagues the Portland metro area, a new graduating class of them are on their way to join the American Medical Response fleet and hopefully chip away at those slow ambulance response times. 

A huge factor helping to fill up classrooms is that the majority of students are having their tuition covered. Many told KOIN 6 News they couldn’t go to school without this support.  

Not only are the students’ tuition covered but their books, uniforms and supplies, too. The program at the College of Emergency Services in Clackamas is sponsored by AMR. Many of these students are already working as Emergency Medical Technicians and have a passion for the profession.

"Wouldn't be able to if I didn't have a sponsorship,” said Daniel Yandell, a student. “The price tag for school and then having to work on top of it — being able to work with AMR — having shift coverage or stuff like that. It's been super super nice."

Earlier this year, AMR said they were short 60 paramedics in Multnomah County now but they expect to lose two paramedics a month going forward. While this class won’t fill the gap, it does appear to be a positive step in the right direction.

The instructor told KOIN 6 News the students whom AMR sponsors will get to work for the company for one to three years in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington counties. In addition to the program at CES receiving such a sponsorship, some students from the Oregon Institute of Technology at Chemeketa Community College are similarly being supported by AMR.