When someone’s heart stops. When there’s a crash on the road. When a person overdoses. EMTs are the first ones there.

They don’t hesitate. They don’t wait. They act calmly, professionally, and with care. These are the people who show up on our worst days and do everything they can to keep us alive. And yet, in Camas, WA, we are paying them barely enough to live. 

Right now, EMTs in Camas start at around $21 an hour, and after 90 days, that only goes up to $22.60, that’s just $39,400 a year. The average rent in Camas is over $1,600 a month, not including groceries, gas, or other essentials. It simply doesn’t add up.

Meanwhile, EMTs in Washington State make an average of $27–$29 per hour, and that still barely meets the cost of living in our area. We’re asking the City of Camas to raise EMT wages to at least $30 an hour, a fair, competitive rate that reflects the importance of their work and the reality of local living expenses.

Being an EMT isn’t just a job. It’s physically demanding, mentally exhausting, and emotionally heavy. They work long shifts, often overnight or on weekends and holidays. They see trauma and tragedy and carry those moments with them. 

Raising this wage isn't just about being fair, it’s about public safety. Better pay helps retain skilled EMTs, reduces burnout, and improves emergency care for everyone in Camas. Supporting them means supporting a stronger, healthier, and safer community.

Sign this petition to support higher wages for our local EMTs. Let’s show them the respect they’ve earned, and give them the resources they need to keep showing up for us.