Public Service Motivation of Street- Level Bureaucrats Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Experiences in Implementation of an at-Home Vaccination Program

Abstract

This article details public service motivation of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel within a local fire department in Texas, as they implemented an at-home vaccination program, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. EMS personnel were surveyed and interviewed to learn more about their professional experiences. Using mixed methods, this work finds that EMS personnel in the local department exhibit high levels of public service motivation in both deciding to participate in the at-home vaccination program and throughout their experience in administering the vaccine to community members. This research offers insight local public servants’ motives during a time of crisis and while working in a new, innovative capacity.