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Dickinson EMS cites staffing shortfalls, asks council to consider pay increases and ambulance funding
Summary
EMS director told council the department has 11 vacancies, is running two units more often, and requested about $475,000 to buy a new ambulance; directors and council explored converting overtime savings into pay to retain staff.
EMS Director Mr. Robbins (S13) told council the department has expanded to two units and that the change significantly reduced mutual‑aid reliance: "With having medic 2 up, that significantly reduces our reliance on mutual aid," he said.
Robbins reported 11 vacant positions and said starting pay for paramedics in Dickinson is below neighboring jurisdictions, citing a starting rate of about $23.32 per hour here compared with roughly $28 an hour in nearby agencies. He estimated an ambulance replacement at about $475,000 and said lead times can be a year or more to procure or refurbish units. "It's about $475,000. That takes approximately a year to get," he said.
Council members discussed whether reallocating overtime could fund raises to retain staff. One council member estimated that moving overtime dollars into wages and benefits could be cheaper than repeatedly losing and retraining personnel. Robbins said hiring more part‑time staff is also constrained because part‑timers are often mandated by other employers and schedules vary.
The discussion closed with staff agreeing to analyze the cost of targeted pay increases and return with precise figures for council consideration; no formal pay decision was made at the workshop.
