County approves six grant-funded per-diem medic positions for EMS pilot

Washington County emergency services staff told the Personnel Committee on Jan. 30 that a state EMS grant will fully fund a pilot to add six per-diem emergency medical provider positions, initially hiring paramedics (medics) only. The department asked the committee to add six per-diem positions titled Emergency Medical Provider to the county staffing pattern. “From there, just like we did with the fire investigator, fire investigator training, there's a total of 6… at the beginning, we are only hiring medics,” said the EMS program lead. Committee members moved the personnel request to the personnel committee and seconded it; the committee approved the request during the meeting. Staff clarified the grant is 100% funding for the life of the grant, which is presently nine months, and that the county would not have money to schedule or continue those per-diem positions past the grant period unless additional funding is found. “So we wouldn't have to let people go. It's just we wouldn't be able to schedule anybody,” an administrator said when asked about post‑grant implications. The EMS lead outlined position grades for future classification: grade 11 for EMT, grade 12 for AEMT (advanced EMT / level 2 ALS technician), and grade 14 for medic (paramedic/critical care medic). Committee members discussed that the pilot is intended to prove need and service value; if the program shows the expected workload and community benefit there was agreement to explore funding extensions or other revenue sources. The committee’s action authorizes personnel staff to add the six per-diem positions to the county staffing pattern and to proceed with grant‑funded hiring under the terms of the state award. Staff will return to the committee if the grant is extended or if county funding will be required to continue the positions after the grant end date.