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Council approves pay-step incentives to recruit experienced paramedics
Summary
To address paramedic staffing shortages, the council approved a memorandum of understanding with IAFF Local 653 establishing step increases for experienced paramedics during their first three years of employment, contingent on documented prior experience.
The council approved a memorandum of understanding with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 653 to introduce step/pay incentives aimed at recruiting paramedics with prior experience. Chief LaRoche and human-resources staff described a tiered step increase program for new hires who can document 1–3 years of prior paramedic experience; the steps award higher starting pay for more experience and are meant to make the city's recruitment more competitive.
"It's getting extremely difficult to recruit paramedics," Chief LaRoche said, describing low applicant volumes and staff shortages. He told the council the department is budgeted for 51 positions but was operating at about 46–47 staff. Council approved the resolution authorizing acceptance of the MOU by roll call (12–0).
