Starke County Emergency Medical Services may soon be asking for pay raises. EMS Director Travis Clary told the county commissioners last week that Starke County has one of the lowest-paying EMS services in the area, and some staff members are leaving for better pay.
“With Pulaski County recently getting their wage increase and things, we’re kind of seeing some people float that way,” he explained, “and I guess I didn’t really realize that it was such an issue before, as far as our wages go, until the employees brought it to our attention.”
Clary said most neighboring county services pay 25 to 35 percent more, with private services paying even more than that. “Currently, we pay our EMTs about $11.88 an hour,” he said. “My daughter who’s 15 just started her first job at McDonald’s and making more than that, so it’s kind of an eye-opener.”
Clary also reported that Starke County EMS was turned down for a community paramedicine grant. It would have helped EMS staff provide routine medical care to homebound residents. Clary said it turned out the grant was limited to EMS services funded by a city, town, or township, but state health officials are helping them look for other funding opportunities.
