The night the system began to fail, calls were coming in faster than units could respond. Hospitals were overwhelmed, nurses were stretched thin, and EMS agencies across the region were running on fumes. Patients hesitated to seek care, waiting until their conditions became emergencies. Ambulances lined up outside ER bays, crews were exhausted, and staffing shortages threatened to collapse an already strained safety net. For many communities, this was the moment they realized how fragile their emergency medical infrastructure truly was. For ShurMed EMS, it was the moment they stepped into their greater purpose. ShurMed was built to solve the problems most EMS agencies struggle with long before a crisis hits. Workforce shortages, community mistrust, delayed care, limited innovation, and the misconception that EMS is merely transportation have challenged the industry for decades. ShurMed’s Founder and CEO Pete Kosko understood that to elevate emergency medical services, an organization needed more than rigs and radios—it needed vision, education, compassion, and a willingness to build solutions no one else was offering. What emerged was a company dedicated not just to responding to emergencies, but to reshaping the entire ecosystem that surrounds them.

At a time when staffing shortages crippled EMS nationwide, ShurMed created ArcLight Academy, a state-approved EMT school designed to rebuild the workforce from within the community. When the pandemic shut down classrooms and drained the pipeline of new clinicians, ShurMed chose to build its own. What began as a response to crisis became a long-term solution, supplying highly trained EMTs and AEMTs to ShurMed and to neighboring agencies, hospitals, and fire departments. Scholarships, partnerships, and accessible certification programs opened new doors for aspiring professionals. Kosko often says, “When the industry needed more EMS providers, we chose to build them—because our community deserved nothing less.” It was a decisive shift from reacting to shortages to preventing them.

During the same period, patient behavior changed dramatically and avoiding hospitals became the norm, even when symptoms signaled serious illness. Healthcare was moving into the home, and ShurMed saw the shift early. They launched a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program that brought clinicians, telehealth technology, and chronic care support directly to patients. This service reduced unnecessary ER visits, minimized preventable emergencies, and coordinated care between EMS, physicians, and nurses. ShurMed transitioned from a transport-focused operation into a proactive partner in community health—a change that would redefine its role across the region.

In addition, access to COVID-19 vaccinations was one of the most urgent challenges. Many seniors, rural families, and individuals without transportation struggled to reach overcrowded clinics. ShurMed partnered with physician offices, public health agencies, and community organizations to host large-scale vaccination events, including drive-through clinics staffed by medical professionals. These efforts alleviated pressure on the healthcare system and brought life-saving vaccines to those who needed them most. It reinforced what the community was beginning to understand: ShurMed wasn’t just an EMS provider, but a cornerstone of regional public health.

Beyond the operational challenges, ShurMed also confronted misconceptions that undermined the EMS profession. Too many people believed EMTs and paramedics were “just drivers,” unaware of their advanced medical training. ShurMed actively changed that narrative through school visits, healthcare events, clinical demonstrations, and public training programs such as CPR and Stop the Bleed. Their message was clear: EMS is a clinical profession, rooted in science, skill, and critical thinking. Just as importantly, ShurMed sought to reshape how people viewed the humanity of EMS providers. The company instilled a culture where compassion is as essential as medical expertise. Employees are taught from day one that patient dignity is non-negotiable. As Kosko emphasizes in orientation, “Clinical skill saves lives, but compassion saves people.” The message has become a cultural pillar.

The company maintains a modern fleet equipped with advanced GPS tracking, multi-angle cameras, Stryker autoload power stretchers, and enhanced safety systems. Daily inspections ensure every ambulance is mission-ready, and a rigorous preventative maintenance schedule keeps the fleet performing at peak capability. Real-time GPS technology allows dispatchers to assign the closest available unit, reducing response times and keeping families informed with live updates. Flexible deployment models ensure that units can be upgraded to MICU-level support instantly when a patient requires advanced care. Combined with highly trained crews and strong partnerships with hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and hospice organizations, ShurMed has earned a reputation for reliability and readiness.

A defining example of ShurMed’s innovative spirit is its partnership with Cedar Hills Behavioral Health Hospital. When Cedar Hills prepared to open, they lacked the ability to perform medical clearances for incoming psychiatric patients—a required component of safe admission. ShurMed built the entire medical clearance program from the ground up, conducting clinical research, writing protocols, training staff, coordinating lab processing, creating billing pathways, and drafting formal policies and procedures. Despite tight deadlines, the program launched on time and now supports Cedar Hills’ operations daily. The partnership reflects ShurMed’s ability to identify gaps in the healthcare system and design solutions that elevate both patient care and provider capability. As one leader within the company put it, “Every challenge we face becomes a doorway to something better—if we choose to lead through it.”

Looking ahead, ShurMed’s vision is ambitious and deeply personal. Kosko also plans steady expansion along the Gulf Coast, ultimately reaching Florida—a state that represents both personal roots and professional opportunity. Educational impact will grow through additional EMS academies modeled on ArcLight’s success, strengthening the pipeline of skilled clinicians throughout the region. Clinical expansion will include enhanced Mobile Integrated Healthcare offerings, with new services such as mobile X-rays and ultrasounds that bring diagnostic care directly to patients’ homes. This evolution reflects ShurMed’s commitment to high-quality, accessible healthcare that meets people where they are.