Rural & Urban EMS Survey
Michigan EMS professionals are encouraged to participate in a survey addressing challenges to mental wellness. Conducted by the Michigan Rural EMS Network with support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, this survey aims to improve resources and support for EMS teams. The survey takes about 3-5 minutes, and participation is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. This survey is not intended to diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions. For immediate support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line, or call Frontline Strong Together’s 24/7 - first responder helpline at 833-347-8766.
Gender
Please Select
Male
Female
Non-binary
Prefer not to report
Age
What is your current relationship status?
Single
Married
Divorced
Widowed
Domestic Partnership
Other
How would you rate this current relationship?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
What is your primary occupation?
Fire/EMS Field Supervisor
Firefighter
Fire/EMS Management
Other Healthcare Professional
Other occupation
Not currently employed
What is your level of certification for Fire?
Firefighter I
Firefighter II
Fire Officer I
Fire Officer II
Fire Officer III
Fire Officer IV
Not Applicable
In what year did you receive your Fire Fighter certification?
What is your level of certification to license for EMS?
MFR (Medical First Responder)
EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
AEMT (Advanced EMT)
Paramedic (EMTP)
Instructor/Coordinator
Other
In what year were you licensed as an EMS practitioner?
What is the zip code for the primary agency where you provide services?
Please provide the name of the county of the primary agency where services are provided. Fill in the blank.
What is your agency structure? (If you work for more than one agency, consider your PRIMARY agency)
Volunteer Only
Career Only
Combination/Mostly Volunteers
Combination/Mostly Career
How would you rate your level of satisfaction with your current agency?
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very Dissatisfied
How would you rate your level of satisfaction with your overall career?
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very Dissatisfied
1. During a typical work shift, how frequently do you encounter life-threatening situations?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rarely
2. Have you experienced a distressing or traumatic event in the past 6 months?
Yes
No
3. Do you feel prepared to handle the emotional aftermath of traumatic events?
Yes
No
4. How often do you feel overwhelmed by the severity or volume of calls?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rarely
5. Have you witnessed the death or serious injury of an individual while on duty?
Yes
No
6. How confident are you in your ability to recover emotionally after traumatic events?
Completely confident
Confident
Not sure
Less confident
Not at all confident
7. How would you rate your on-the-job stress level?
No Stress
Occasional stress
Not sure
Stressed
Overwhelmed
8. What are the primary sources of stress in your job role? (Check all that apply)
Shift work and rotating schedules
Overtime and job demands
Risk of being injured
Paperwork administrative duties
Occupational health issues
Social life limitations
Leadership
Less time with family/friends
Observing traumatic events
Fatigue
9. Do you feel that your job negatively impacts your personal life when you are not working?
Yes
No
10. If you answered YES to #9, how does it affect your personal life? (Check all that apply)
Relationship Concerns
Loss of Meaning or Purpose
Burnout and Stress
Sleep Disturbance
Improper Nutrition
Financial Concerns
Substance Use
Physical Health Concerns
Mental Health Concerns
Other
11. Do you have enough downtime between shifts to recover, unwind, or decompress?
Yes
No
12. How often do you feel symptoms of burnout (e.g., exhaustion, irritability, or reduced motivation)?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
13. What methods or activities do you use to manage stress and recover after a shift? (Check all that apply)
Physical exercise
Sleep
Have a beer or glass of wine
Pursue a hobby
Spend time with family/friends
Spend time outdoors
Practice yoga or meditation
Mindfulness or relaxation techniques
14. Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition?
Yes
No
Not sure
Prefer Not to Answer
15. If you answered YES to #14, what was the diagnosis? (Check all that apply)
Anxiety
Depression
Post Traumatic Stress
Bipolar (Mania Hyper-Activity)
Sleep Disruption
Diet and eating Issues
Substance use
Stress
Prefer Not To Answer
Other
16. Have you ever sought professional help for stress, trauma, or any mental health concerns?
Yes
No
17. Do you feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges with your coworkers?
Yes
No
Not sure
18. Do you feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges with your immediate supervisor?
Yes
No
Not sure
19. Are mental health resources, such as counseling, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), or peer support, available and easily accessible at your workplace?
Yes
No
Not sure
20. Do you feel there is any stigma around mental health in your workplace?
Yes
No
Not sure
21. Have you established healthy boundaries between work and leisure time?
Yes
No
22. Have you ever felt isolated or unsupported in managing your mental health in EMS?
Yes
No
23. How likely are you to seek professional help if you notice signs of declining mental health?
Very likely
Likely
Not sure
Unlikely
Very unlikely
24. Have you ever contemplated suicide because of an EMS JOB-RELATED event?
Yes
No
Prefer Not To Answer
25. Have you ever contemplated suicide because of a NON-JOB-RELATED event?
Yes
No
Prefer Not To Answer
26. In your EMS role, do you know a colleague who has attempted suicide?
Yes
No
27. If you answered Yes to #26, how many?
28. In your EMS role, do you know a colleague who has talked about wanting to hurt or kill themselves?
Yes
No
29. If you answered Yes to #28, how many?
30. Do you know a colleague within EMS who has died by suicide?
Yes
No
31. If you answered Yes to #30, how many?
32. Are there sufficient suicide prevention resources available for EMS professionals in your geographical area?
Yes
No
Not sure
33. If you or a colleague were experiencing a mental health crisis, do you know how to assist them or seek help for yourself?
Yes
No
Not sure
34. Are you aware of any crisis helplines or support services for EMS?
Yes
No
Not sure
35. What barriers have you experienced, if any, with accessing mental health care? (Check all that apply)
I have not experienced any
Financial
Scheduling
Stigma
Lack of knowledge
Travel or TIme Constraints
I haven't needed to access
Other
36. In the past year, have you accessed any of the following services? (Check all that apply)
In-person therapy
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Telehealth support
Peer support
Phone support line
Clergy
Other
37. If you answered NO to #36, why haven't you accessed any of these services?
I did not need services
Unsure if services existed
Unsure if services would be helpful
Concerned about confidentiality and stigma
Services are not available or convenient in my area
Cost/Financial
I don't have time to go
Other
38. Have you attended any employee mental health training provided by your agency?
Yes
No
Not sure
39. Have you attended any employee mental health training provided by an agency other than yours?
Yes
No
Not sure
40. What suggestions do you have to make mental health care more accessible for First Responders, specifically EMS?
Type in your response
41. Are you considering leaving your agency in the next 5 years?
Yes
No
Not sure
42. If you answered YES or Not Sure to #41, what is or would be the primary reason? (Choose one)
Career/advancement
Career change
Benefits/pay
Job demands
Work conditions
Administration/Management
Retirement
Other
43. What is your agency doing well to strengthen and improve the work environment? (Check all that apply)
Good management
Promotes team attitude
Positive work environment
Competitive pay/benefits
Opportunities for advancement
Training and education options
Nothing
Prefer Not To Answer
Other
44. What could your agency do to improve support for mental health?
Type in your response
45. Please provide any additional suggestions in which mental health care for EMS professionals can be improved?
Type in your response
We will conduct a random drawing of eligible completed surveys for five (5) $200 Amazon gift cards. Please provide your email address and phone number if you wish to be included in the drawing. Contact information will only be used to notify winners and will not be linked to survey responses, maintaining anonymity. Only licensed Michigan EMS professionals are eligible for the drawing; one entry per person is allowed. Contact information will be securely stored and immediately deleted after the drawing is complete.
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