News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Clay Ambulance Board has had a difficult time filling important EMT vacancies with candidates largely due to low pay.
EMTs in the area have been in low supply since 2020, with many leaving the county to accept employment in bigger areas like Nashville. Andy Hall Director of EMS said that this is because EMTs and paramedics have been in consistently higher demand since the pandemic.
“People are going to other places, to bigger towns, stuff like that,” Hall said. “The pays better so I mean it’s just a dog-eat-dog world out there right now when it comes to EMT and paramedics. Basically, who’s the highest bidder gets it you know?”
Hall said that Clay often doesn’t have the traffic necessary to justify higher pay for EMTs and paramedics. Hall said that because of the shortage, he and his staff have been bearing the weight left behind by the open positions.
“Right now I’m supposed to have six paramedics and I have two full-time, counting myself I’m actually the director and I work a truck,” Hall said. “So right now I just got one full-time medic. I’ve got one coming, starting in October. We did get a full-time pay raise for full-time paramedics.”
Hall said that he has a sufficient number of full-time EMTs, though he could use more part-time workers.
“As far as full-time, I’m in desperate need for paramedics,” Hall said. “Because we’ve been working 160 hours in two-week periods or whatever. Just trying to, me and the other guy, just trying to keep everything covered up.”
Hall said though he’s received part-time help, the work hours are still adding up for him and his other paramedic. Hall said though he’s still been able to offer emergency services, the few staff still minimize his coverage as a paramedic. Hall said that with Clay County’s low volume of calls, the open position is good for those looking for a slower-moving emergency services job.
