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Chickasaw County EMS director details staffing shortfalls as board approves part-time paramedic
Summary
EMS Director Joel Knutson told the board the county must fill roughly 20 paramedic shifts each month, has one full‑time paramedic and a mix of part‑time/backup providers; supervisors approved a part‑time hire and asked staff to revisit the 24‑hour minimum-hours policy.
Joel Knutson, Chickasaw County EMS director, gave a detailed account of the department’s staffing and scheduling challenges and asked the board for direction on policy and recruitment.
“We have 20 paramedic shifts to fill every month,” Knutson said, describing current coverage and backup arrangements. He told supervisors the department has “one full‑time paramedic — Carly,” about 16 ALS providers (with some currently unavailable or injured), six drivers, and 18 EMTs. Knutson said some providers who live and primarily work in Fredericksburg pick up shifts irregularly and that strict enforcement of a minimum-hours scheduling rule could prompt resignations among those crews.
Knutson asked the board whether to require a 24‑hour minimum per month for on‑call staff and whether to require scheduling from certain provider groups. Board members emphasized the need to review the written policy language (whether it uses “shall” or “will”) and asked staff to return with a clarified policy and recommended direction.
During the meeting Knutson disclosed a family relationship to a job candidate and recused himself from the vote on that hire. The board approved hiring Brady Norman as a part‑time paramedic at $27 per hour, effective Dec. 1; supervisors instructed EMS and auditor staff to complete onboarding and to reconcile payroll/recordkeeping responsibilities given the county employment relationship.
Supervisors asked staff to return with a revised minimum‑hours policy and to clarify which records remain the auditor’s responsibility (payroll and personnel files) versus department-held training and certification files. Knutson said his aim remains to increase regular staffing so more providers become eligible for benefits without jeopardizing coverage.
