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Northumberland County hears EMS chief warn understaffing and low pay are increasing overtime and service risk
Summary
Chief Bailey told the Board of Supervisors that vacancies, mandatory overtime and lower regional pay are driving departures and raising liability and service risks; he presented four pay/shift options (including a 10% across‑the‑board raise) and asked the board to review leave and compensation details next week.
Chief Bailey, Northumberland County’s EMS chief, told the Board of Supervisors that chronic vacancies and comparatively low pay are forcing staff departures, increasing mandatory overtime and risking reductions in service. "The field providers in Northumberland County are underpaid, at least compared to other organizations and jurisdictions in the region, resulting in them, unfortunately, seeking employment elsewhere," Bailey said during a board briefing.
Bailey said the department’s ideal staffing level is 20 full‑time field providers (five per shift) but that, as of the briefing, the county had roughly 13 full‑time field staff (including five ALS/paramedic providers), eight BLS providers and seven vacancies. He described the department’s minimum staffing threshold of 16 and explained how a quick‑response vehicle and surge staffing are used when ambulances need assistance.
The chief described a three‑part operational strain: uncovered shifts…
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