News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
UCDD UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley wants to conduct an EMS pay and benefit study to help local staffing issues.
Farley said local leaders at a recent mayor’s retreat expressed concern about workforce issues.
“It’s been a part of county government that you have seen a lot of changes in,” Farley said. “You’ve seen employees with turnover moving from program to program. They are just frustrated trying to figure out how to position their budgets and programs to best meet the needs for the future.”
Farley said the study will collect wage and benefit rates of each department in the 14-county region. Farley said once completed, he will share the numbers with each county, so leaders can compare their pay structure.
Farley said EMS is a very competitive market at this time. Farley said mayors have indicated that fewer and fewer young people are entering the department.
Farley said since the project is voluntary, there is not an exact time line of completion.
