New Paramedics on Staff with Starke County EMS

Posted on March 12, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

There are two new full-time paramedics on staff with the Starke County EMS Department.

EMS Director Travis Clary notified the Starke County Commissioners last week that one of the new hires started the week of March 5 and the other will begin duties this week. Two new full-time Basic EMTs were also hired. They are replacing two vacancies from resignations.

Clary also mentioned that he would like to put in place a paramedic captain. The paramedic captain would be like a shift supervisor for when Clary is not on station or attending a function and is not reachable.

He is considering compensation for the added responsibility of either an additional $.25 or $.50 an hour for four paramedics to assume those duties. According to Clary, a $.25 increase would be $2,696 gross a year while the $.50 increase would be $5,408 gross a year. He said it wouldn’t have an extreme impact on the budget and it is less expensive than staffing an assistant director at a salary of over $40,000 a year.

The commissioners asked Clary to come up with a job description. They will review it and if they are in favor of the contents they will forward a recommendation for a paramedic captain to the county council. The council will then approve a wage. The commissioners anticipate reviewing the job description when they meet on Monday, March 19.

Starke County Commissioners and Council Discuss Hiring Two Full-Time Paramedics

Posted on January 17, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

Starke County may soon have two more paramedics on staff.

EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie discussed the need for two full-time paramedics with both the Starke County Council and Starke County Commission members Tuesday night. They explained that it is difficult to find part-time paramedics to work for the county and it’s even harder to get part-time people to work shifts when a full-time paramedic is not able to work a shift. Clary said he’s been picking up extra shifts to fill the void.

The cost for a full-time paramedic to pick up shifts is eating into the overtime budget. Clary and Ritchie proposed hiring two full-time paramedics to help pick up hours and help with the hours needed to fully staff ambulances. While health benefits would be offered at a cost to the county, it’ll save the county in the long run with the qualified staff on the roster.

The proposal was unanimously supported by the county council to be considered by the commissioners. The commissioners also unanimously supported the proposal. The request now goes back to the county council where the members will discuss budgeting the positions at their next meeting in February.