In some systems, the local EMS agency or a private corporation provides some financial support. Eight EMS fellows have been recipients thus far. The EMS fellowship directors are typically medical directors of the local EMS service and are active at the local, state, regional and national levels. The fellowship director and other faculty provide mentorship opportunities for the fellows. The mix varies with the individual program and the fellow's interests.
All programs provide the fellow with indirect and direct medical command experiences.
A small but growing number are including onscene command experiences. Other EMS activities include protocol review and development, quality improvement activities, complaint investigation, communications and an introduction to system finances. All EMS fellows are expected to be teachers as well as students. Teaching opportunities abound, with EMS providers, residents and medical students being the primary audiences. The typical fellowship requires the completion of 1 or 2 research projects and one grant application.