The Pulaski County Council wants more information before approving a new pay structure for instructors in the EMS training program. EMS Director Brandon DeLorenzo is proposing a system where the instructors split a portion of a class’s income, rather than getting paid their hourly overtime rate.
“Whether you’re a paramedic or you’re a basic, the curriculum’s the same in these classes,” he told council members, “and it was kind of unfair for a paramedic to make a lot more money teaching the same class that the basic EMT’s teaching.”
In order for the new structure to work, the instructors would have to be paid as outside contractors for their teaching duties, even though they’re county employees at other times. But before approving the arrangement, Council Member Ken Boswell wanted to make sure the instructors could still be covered under the county’s liability insurance. “It might end up hurting the trainer if they have to go out and purchase insurance and things like that to cover their liability because, now, you’re an independent person,” Boswell said. “If this’ll work, I’m all for helping you guys get the most you can and all, but I just think we need to make sure that we have the proper things done.”
DeLorenzo agreed to check with County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, as well as the insurance company. DeLorezno added that one of the big problems with the current pay system is that the county loses money if students drop out before fully paying their tuition. He said that his proposal would encourage instructors to motivate students to stay in class and pay. DeLorenzo is also looking into the possibility of requiring more of the tuition to be paid up-front.
