During a recent government meeting, officials discussed pressing issues surrounding recruitment and retention within the emergency services sector, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by local fire and ambulance services. A key concern raised was the current call pay structure, which has remained unchanged for years, leading to difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

The discussion highlighted that employees are required to be on call for a day without compensation before their scheduled shifts, creating a barrier to staffing. This practice has made it increasingly difficult to cover shifts, especially during peak call times, which have surged to over 1,000 calls this year. The statutory requirement mandates that 90% of emergency calls must be responded to within five minutes, a target that is becoming harder to meet due to staffing shortages.

Officials noted that while the department is budgeted for 12 full-time employees, they are currently short four positions, exacerbating the strain on existing staff. The recruitment of part-time staff has seen some success, particularly from neighboring states, but the overall compensation remains a significant hurdle. The current pay rate of 62 cents per hour for on-call time is viewed as noncompetitive compared to surrounding areas, where wages have increased.

The meeting also touched on the need for creative solutions to improve recruitment and retention, emphasizing that benefits alone are insufficient to attract new hires. Officials expressed a desire to explore innovative strategies that could differentiate their services from others in the region.

Additionally, the conversation included a review of the budget and the potential for adjusting the fee schedule for services rendered. The last adjustment was made over two years ago, and there is a growing consensus that a reevaluation is necessary to ensure the sustainability of services, especially in light of increasing operational demands.

Overall, the meeting underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address staffing challenges, enhance compensation, and ensure the delivery of timely emergency services to the community.