Pulaski County EMS Director Brandon DeLorenzo asked the Pulaski County Council and Pulaski County Commissioners last week to approve the change in PTO in the handbook.
“The council members have made an amendment to the matrix that allows an employee that has either left employment with the county or dropped down to part-time status for a certain term and then came back to the county to retain their seniority as long as they met certain criteria. I was made aware that only deals with the salary portion of it. I’m coming to the commissioners to discuss adding PTO to that in the handbook,” stated DeLorenzo.
It was previously explained that the first year of PTO is 48 hours and then 128 hours for full-time EMS employees from two to five years. It would be 152 hours for employees who have worked six to ten years.
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved the request with a unanimous vote. The council members also approved the request with a unanimous vote and will amend the handbook.
DeLorenzo added that there is still a critical need for paramedics, which is not solely a Pulaski County problem, but a nationwide problem. He said they have what is required on staff now, but he hopes that more people will come forward and take the necessary courses to become paramedics to alleviate the shortage.
