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Commission backs plan to hire firefighter-EMTs who would be sponsored for paramedic school
Summary
The Police and Fire Commission supported moving forward with a hiring option to recruit firefighter-EMTs who would enroll in paramedic programs while employed; the department would require a training/tuition agreement and use escrowed funds to offset costs, officials said.
The Fire Department described April 14 a plan to open hiring for firefighter-EMT positions that would be sponsored by the city with the expectation the hires complete paramedic training within 12 months.
Nut graf: Department leaders said the move responds to regional hiring trends and a limited local applicant pool of experienced paramedics; the department hopes sponsoring EMT hires will fill vacancies and shorten orientation time by letting recruits complete clinical rotations locally.
Fire Department presenters said the proposed practice would require applicants to sign a contractual agreement to remain with the department for a specified period or to reimburse tuition costs if they leave. The department said escrowed FAP training funds could help cover program costs and that internal applicants already partly through paramedic coursework would be prioritized when feasible. Training would be at local technical colleges such as Lakeshore Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Moraine Park, the chief said.
Commissioners asked operational questions: the department confirmed recruits would work a standard 54-hour workweek but would be excused from shift hours while attending classes and would make up remaining hours on their assigned shifts. The chief said the department is already incurring overtime while vacancies remain open and that hiring EMTs to be trained could reduce long-term overtime costs. Human Resources and the finance director will be consulted on contract language, the chief said.
The commission voted in favor of supporting the departmental approach so the department may pursue the personnel and funding steps required to implement a sponsored-education hiring path. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was given at the meeting.
Ending: Staff will consult HR and the finance director and, if needed, take the proposal to personnel and General Government & Finance committees for approval and budgeting steps.
