The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians [NAEMT], together with EMS World magazine, announced this week the recipients of the 2026 National EMS Awards of Excellence. St. Charles County Ambulance District [SCCAD] was honored with the Wellness & Resiliency Award, which recognizes one organization’s efforts to integrate and prioritize employees’ physical and mental health. The award will be presented at NAEMT’s general membership meeting on Wednesday, September 30 as part of the opening ceremony of the EMS World Expo in Orlando, Florida.
“For the past decade, SCCAD has taken steps to develop, build, and enhance a culture of wellness and resilience by offering a robust array of programs, policies, procedures, and practices to address the unique needs of our team. To be recognized at this highest-possible level within our profession is humbling and speaks volumes to the work that our paramedics and professional staff are doing to create a holistic, employee-centric environment” said Assistant Chief Josh McGaughey, a founding member of the District’s Wellness Committee.
Emergency medical services [EMS] is a dynamic profession that demands a unique blend of clinical ability, critical thinking, and adaptability to render lifesaving care to those in need. Though the complex work performed by paramedics in pre-hospital settings can be immensely rewarding, it is also physically and mentally taxing. High call volume, trauma exposure, and other factors make EMS a demanding work environment, putting clinicians at risk for clinical burnout, a variety of physical ailments, and more.
An annual physical program for employees includes an in-depth wellness exam, mental health evaluation, stress test, and time with an occupational physician who provides advice on a variety of topics like joint issues or nutritional help. Fitness equipment is provided at all 19 ambulance stations, and wellness challenges aimed at establishing healthy habits and making movement a priority.
“On a daily operational level, SCCAD prioritizes wellness and safety through a comprehensive fatigue and exhaustion prevention program. We carefully evaluate overnight call volume, providing crews who exceed established thresholds a ‘time-out’ period for recovery, thus reducing the risk of exhaustion-related errors,” said McGaughey.
SCCAD’s efforts in the realm of mental health have grown exponentially in recent years thanks largely to the 14 members of the District’s Peer Support Team, who regularly assist with situations concerning well-being and stress management following challenging 911 emergency calls. Since its formation, the team has added numerous new programs and support structures and is currently pursuing a partnership with local nonprofit Dogs on Duty to add a crisis response canine as a wellness resource.
More about NAEMT’s 2026 National EMS Award of Excellence winners.