[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 110 (Thursday, June 26, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the EMS Counts Act, a bipartisan, commonsense solution to a 
critical and longstanding oversight in how we value our first 
responders.
  Prior to serving in Congress, I spent decades as a volunteer 
firefighter and EMT. I recognize and value the commitment these 
individuals have to their communities.
  Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics fails to count firefighter 
EMTs and firefighter paramedics as part of the EMS workforce, which 
skews the data, masks staffing shortages, complicates funding 
decisions, and hinders emergency preparedness.
  Correcting outdated classifications is important because without an 
accurate count of the number of EMTs, paramedics, and other emergency 
service providers, it creates a challenge to adequately meet the health 
and safety needs of our communities.
  Accurate workforce data is not just numbers. It is the foundation for 
equitable funding, targeted training, disaster responsiveness, and 
enhanced workplace safety. It empowers us to stand behind the men and 
women who respond to more than 22 million emergencies each year.
  Mr. Speaker, passing the EMS Counts Act is a decisive step toward 
recognizing and strengthening this indispensable part of our public 
safety infrastructure. I urge my colleagues to join me in support.

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