County approves reclassification for six paramedics following advanced training

Rutherford County Public Safety Committee approved reclassifying six paramedic positions to reflect completion or near-completion of advanced critical-care training.

Emergency Medical Services Director Brian Gaither presented the April EMS report and requested reclassification of six positions. Gaither said the county had "a total of six paramedics who have either completed or will be completing the requirements to move from a paramedic 1 to a paramedic 2 position." He told the committee the funding for the reclassifications is available within the current EMS budget.

Gaither explained the difference in scope: “Paramedic 2 is a paramedic that goes through a critical care course ... they are also ... rapid sequence intubation,” describing the additional certifications and clinical skills that expand what paramedic 2 providers can perform in the field.

Commissioners asked how many paramedic-1 and paramedic-2 staff the county currently has and whether paramedic-1s and paramedic-2s typically pair on calls; Gaither said he did not have exact counts on hand but explained staffing is skill-based rather than a rigid hierarchy and that some crews will have both types of providers. The director estimated the additional annual cost for the six reclassified positions would be about $15,000 total across the six employees.

A motion to approve the reclassifications passed on a voice vote and roll call.

Gaither also used the moment to publicly recognize EMS personnel during EMS Week, thanking staff for their work in critical moments for residents. The committee took no additional staffing actions beyond the reclassifications approved at the meeting.