Firefighters & EMS in 2026 — The Critical Issues Voters Should Care About

As we are into a new year, one that will surely prove to be busy for activists and advocates. After all, this will be an election year: 2026 could decide whether Fire & EMS departments stay prepared or fall behind.

For fire and EMS professionals, the stakes are exceptionally high: across the country, cities and towns are witnessing a rapid transformation in the nature of emergency services. Meanwhile, the health and safety impact of emergency work is now widely accepted to carry long-term consequences.

If we want to keep our firefighters safe and our stations fully staffed, policymakers and stakeholders will need to address these issues during the next legislative session.

Staffing and Workforce Sustainability

Modern standards require fire stations to be staffed by full-time, fully trained workers. However, in many places, local bylaws and budgets are still designed around a volunteer force. To ensure sustainable, quick response times, reforms will be needed.

Labor shortages and retention challenges

According to industry data from Traumasoft, workforce shortages will remain the most pressing challenge for Emergency Medical Services for the coming few years.

Here, local agencies often have to deal with three separate bottlenecks:

• Attracting suitable applicants into the profession.
• Retaining them through compensation packages that offset inflation, including benefits beyond pay
• Covering the rising cost of licensing and ongoing certification requirements

If these factors are not addressed, departments will see their overtime burdens deepen. This can easily impact response times and, consequently, jeopardize citizen safety. Staffing shortages and rising costs aren’t agency problems; they’re public‑safety emergencies. With extended hours and increased exposure to high-stress calls, volunteers are more likely to experience burnout, which can further exacerbate service gaps.

Sustainability through policy and funding support

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians has been very clear in its warnings. In the event of a large-scale disaster, stable, federally funded EMS departments can play a critical role in saving lives directly. This is vital for departments to prepare adequately.

Without consistent funding and a full staff roster, citizens risk being left unprotected during an emergency.

Funding and Resource Allocation

Across the United States, public opinion continues to play a pivotal role in budget allocation and fundraising. While direct participation is a cornerstone of democracy, alleviating financial pressures requires a concerted effort by both local leaders and the general public.

Rising costs and financial pressures on departments

Over the past year, Fire Engineering reported a steady increase in the cost of equipment, training, PPE, and health coverage for fire stations.

One of the most critical drivers of this increase is the urgent need to update turnout gear with safer, PFAS-free options. The body of evidence linking these materials with a heightened risk of cancer is now undeniable. Despite the initial expense, this transition will likely save both lives and money within a decade or two.

At the same time, EMS departments need to rethink their service reimbursement model and find easier ways to collect payments from both Medicare and Medicaid.

Recognizing fire and EMS as critical infrastructure

Beyond local measures and ballot initiatives, 2026 may usher in a much deeper reform. Larger populations and unstable weather patterns have made disasters more common.

According to Bruce H. Varner, past President of the Institution of Fire Engineers, it is time for fire departments to be recognized as more than a local utility. All levels of government need to recognize EMS and Fire departments as critical infrastructure – and fund them accordingly. This will allow for quick, coordinated responses in the event of a disaster.

Health, Safety, and Wellness of First Responders

The elevated rates at which firefighters develop cancer have been extensively discussed over the past decade. For 2026, however, we may start dealing with the invisible mental toll they also face:a report by UTH Health Houston showed that first responders also face higher rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This risk appears to be multiplied following a large-scale disaster or a violent attack that saw civilians killed. However, other factors, such as poor sleep, excessive overtime, and financial instability, also play a role.

Modernization: Technology, Data, and EMS Innovation

Just like with any other essential service, emergency services are now increasingly reliant on technology. While these advancements can help organize resources and reduce red tape, their adoption will be marked by a steep learning curve.

Embracing technology and data-driven EMS models

The past couple of years have shown that meteorological disasters rarely stay confined within a country’s borders. When it’s time to coordinate staff and supplies between many jurisdictions, quick access to data can make all the difference.

By adopting data analytics, sharing instant status reports, and employing AI, these complex operations can be completed more quickly. They can also keep responders away from “hot zones” or unnecessary hazards.

But technology can also play a role in everyday calls.Mobile integrated Healthcare software can help paramedics access medical information quickly and even keep less serious incidents out of the ER.

Policy and regulation must evolve with technology.

To reap the benefits of many of these advancements, it is also necessary to adjust legislative frameworks. The current landscape is characterized by many small local actors, each with its own protocols and guidelines, and often using incompatible software systems, which slows information sharing.

Equity and Access for Rural and Underserved Communities

Staffing shortages and a lack of funds appear nearly everywhere in the US. However, they are consistently worse in rural and low-income areas. Here, the possibility of levying new taxes places a higher burden on the population. In addition, spread-out, low-density communities are more difficult to serve; ambulances often need to travel farther and over hazardous roads to reach someone whose life may be in danger.

Without federal and state support, these disparities will worsen further in 2026.

Advocacy, Public Awareness, and Political Engagement

So, how are all these issues affected by the impending midterms?

2026 Election: a pivotal moment for first responder policy

Whatever gets voted in November will directly influence funding, staffing policy, and labor protections for firefighters and EMS workers across the country. Any elected leaders, both at the federal and state levels, will have the power to push for much-needed reforms.

At the same time, many counties will likely present ballot initiatives and referenda that address EMS operations – and they must not get lost in the noise!

The role of grassroots support and public involvement

Local ballot measures, advocacy efforts, and educational campaigns can all bring fire and EMS services to the forefront of voters’ minds. In the past year, we have seen how investing in communications can make all the difference on election day.

Firefighters and EMS personnel deserve funding and legislation that are worthy of the risks they face every day. Before these funds can be secured, it is necessary to clearly demonstrate the public’s impact using precise numbers and transparent data.

Conclusion

In the coming year, emergency services will be affected by many of the ongoing issues plaguing them lately: staffing shortages, unstable funding, mental health risks, and slow modernization.

Without long-term investment and thoughtful policy, fire & EMS agencies risk falling behind as demand grows. To address these challenges, it is necessary to involve stakeholders at every level. Together, we can advocate for sustainable funding and legislative reforms.