Robertson County EMS director asks commissioners for earlier pay upgrades after staffing gains

Brent Dyer, director of Robertson County Emergency Medical Services, told the commission in a written report that he is asking for an early balanced-budget amendment and funds to increase pay by $4.84 per hour for seven advanced emergency medical technicians now providing higher-level functions.

Dyer described a history of staffing shortages and equipment problems when he was hired in October 2022 and said the department has since seen ‘‘all positions filled’’ and the addition of another ambulance. "We now have all positions filled, plus we have added another ambulance!" he wrote. Dyer said the county’s EMS system now runs about 1,000 calls per month across eight full-time 24-hour ambulances and a ninth ambulance that runs 12 hours.

In the letter, Dyer asked commissioners to approve the pay adjustment earlier than scheduled to compensate staff for expanded duties; he characterized the change as an internal reclassification of existing employees who obtained additional training rather than the creation of new positions. Dyer also reported roughly $300,000 in increased transport revenue since 2022 and described upgrades to the fleet, medical equipment, and countywide radio system. He noted plans for field-carry trauma blood and continued collaboration with fire departments and hospitals.

Dyer signed and submitted the report in advance of the May 18 meeting; the commission recorded a budget amendment for EMS miscellaneous expenses on the agenda (Resolution 051826043). The minutes do not record a roll-call tally tied to the EMS request; funding approval will be subject to the county’s budget process and implementation steps recorded with the clerk.

Ending: Dyer asked commissioners to contact him with questions; departmental follow-up and budget implementation are expected through the county’s budget committee and the clerk’s office.