Chickasaw County EMS director cleared to advertise for EMTs and paramedics amid staffing concerns

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors on April 14 authorized EMS Director Joel Knudson to advertise for both part-time and full-time EMT and paramedic positions to address daytime coverage gaps.

Knudson told supervisors the department’s full-time crews work 24-hour shifts on a 24-on/48-off schedule and that recent changes in staffing had increased daytime coverage challenges. He proposed recruiting for both full-time and part-time candidates — including a “2.6” split schedule (every sixth day) for part-time employees — to give flexibility in scheduling and avoid repeated returns to the board if the initial hires did not fill the needed shifts.

Board members noted the county’s health-insurance eligibility rules (roughly a 30-hour average threshold) and asked whether a part-time hire working recurring hours could inadvertently trigger employer health benefits and increase budget costs. Knudson said the insurance look-back and averaging rules are complex and that the department would evaluate offers on a case-by-case basis. The board approved the director’s request to open hiring for EMTs and paramedics, full time and part time, by motion.

Knudson also provided operational updates: the county’s ambulance calls and vehicle mileage, status of remounted and older ambulances, recent grant and donation receipts, and upcoming community outreach for EMS Week. He told the board the county’s internal billing/collection position for ambulance service was roughly $819,000 as of the meeting (noting that timing can affect payment cycles).