Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes some recent hires will alleviate some of the staffing issues for the county ambulance service. He told the commissioners Monday evening he’s finalizing the hiring of two full-time paramedics. They’re expected to start July 1.
Emigh has also filled a full-time EMT position and hired a part-time EMT and a part-time paramedic.
The Starke County Council last month gave him permission to hire two full-time paramedics in hopes of alleviating staffing problems. The full-time positions will include benefits, which will be paid for from the commissioners’ budget for the remainder of the year.
Most of the employees are part-time, and they pick up hours from various ambulance services throughout the area. They can also spread their minimum number of hours at Starke County over more than one month. Emigh says that creates staffing headaches when it comes to providing 24-hour coverage at all three bases.
In 2014 Starke County EMS has eight full-time slots for EMT’s. They now have six since both Emigh and Travis Clary have been promoted within the service, and their positions were not filled.
