City of Cookeville in discussions to increase funding for Fire Department Paramedics

Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said the fire department appreciates the city’s discussions about increased funding for paramedic pay rates.

The department responded to almost 2,000 calls for medical services in 2022 – more calls than for typical fire issues.

He said all the firefighters are medically trained with advanced EMT certification.

“We offer a paramedic licensure that they have the option of going if they want to,” Young said. “With the increased pay for a paramedic I think it will increase the number of people we have interested in going to that school.”

Young said paramedic training allows a higher level of care. He said that licensure allows a caregiver to provide cardiac drugs and innovation for your airway, some things that your EMTs cannot do.

He said paramedics offer an increased level of safety and care.

“In 2022 we responded to 3,445 calls of service and about 58 to 60% of those were medical in nature,” Young said. “They can vary from seizures, heart attacks, diabetic issues, and falls where someone may have broken their leg or arm.”

Young said the fire department is part of emergency services and they work hand in hand with Putnam County Ambulance Service and EMS. He said the department hires people with no training then puts them through required training.

“You have to be an EMT basic, then you go to be an EMT advanced, then EMT paramedic,” Young said. “Each class is a semester. A paramedic is almost a year in school.”

Young said he was proud to hear the city is interested in budgeting additional support for the fire department.

“We provide a level of care here to the citizens that’s unprecedented and I think they realize to continue that service we have to make progress in other areas too,” Young said.