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.
lary 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 it 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.
