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Council authorizes $6,000 paramedic incentive and in-house training program to expand ambulance coverage
Summary
Meridian council approved a $6,000 paramedic pay/incentive and support for an in-house training program intended to increase paramedic staffing so each fire truck can have at least one paramedic.
The Meridian City Council approved an order authorizing a $6,000 paramedic pay incentive and backing an internal training effort the presenter called a "pyramid program" to train firefighters as paramedics.
A Fire Department representative told the council the program has been discussed for several months and is intended to make Meridian competitive with neighboring cities for paramedics. The presenter said the goal is to have one paramedic on every truck and to offer the training to firefighters who volunteer and want to attend classes.
Council asked for clarification about the program and a related ribbon-cutting announcement for Station 6; staff said the program would proceed once hiring is completed and noted the city's hiring process has been slow in some cases. The council voted to approve the incentive; the transcript records the motion passing with the chair calling for the ayes.
