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Minneapolis EMS director warns county services at risk; presents staffing and wage estimates
Summary
Minneapolis EMS Director Karl Leech told the county commission that Ottawa County is "close to not having a functioning system," and presented wage estimates and a staffing model (six full-time employees plus part-time) to sustain a 48–96 schedule; commissioners asked for comparisons with other counties.
Karl Leech, Minneapolis EMS Director, told the commission the county is nearing a staffing crisis and presented preliminary wage figures he believes are necessary to retain and recruit personnel.
Leech said the county is "close to not having a functioning system, with wages being the main issue," and explained that to run a reliable 48–96 coverage model he would need six full-time staff plus part-time employees. He emphasized his figures covered wages and benefits only and excluded uniforms, trucks, equipment and education; he said this was not a formal funding request but intended to give commissioners concrete numbers to consider.
Commissioner Carla Grund asked about an integrated health initiative intended as a pilot; Leech said its success depends on Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance reimbursements and that Medicare/Medicaid typically reimburse about half of private-insurance rates when patients have coverage. Grund suggested looking at what other counties do and asked to see the full Minneapolis budget (the city administers that EMS budget) as the commission considers options.
