Commissioners correct paramedic pay mistake

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Commissioners correct paramedic pay mistake

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Friday, October 29. 2010

Comments (11)

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday curtailed Barrow County Emergency Services’ practice of giving raises to emergency medical technicians who obtain state certification as paramedics but are not working in paramedic positions.

The practice apparently has gone on for 17 months, with the approval of the former human resources director and county chairman, and has cost taxpayers an undisclosed amount of money. Tuesday’s resolution, which was passed on a 5-0 vote with Ben Hendrix absent, makes reference to a May 12, 2009, meeting where paramedic pay was first discussed and acted on by the current board.

Due to difficulty finding applicants for 13 vacant paramedic positions, the board at that time made a hiring freeze exception for paramedics, increasing their minimum hourly rate from $12.50 to $14.

At the same time, the board also agreed to give back to two newly certified paramedics the January 2009 pay cuts they had received along with all other county employees.

That is all of the board action reflected in the minutes of that 2009 meeting.

So what happened?

An audio recording of the meeting shows that the motion that was approved that night included a third element that allowed the fire chief to request the same increases for EMTs who later obtained paramedic certification and moved into paramedic slots.

That third element in the unwritten motion was inserted by human resources director Norma Jean Brown, who that night had introduced a resolution that established an approval process for department directors and elected officials to obtain raises to hire and to retain essential public safety personnel.

But the catalyst for her request was the difficulty she was having attracting applicants at the established pay rater of $12.50 per hour for paramedics. She said the department had 13 vacant paramedic positions.

For more on this story, see the October 27 edition of the Barrow Journal or click here to read the full story online when you subscribe to our new e-edition.

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#1 Jack Legg on 10/29/10 at 07:25 AM [Reply]

One thing is clear after reading this article. There was no "mistake" made in paramedic pa. Our inept commishioners once again prove how stupid they werw and must still be.
They got what they voted for and then later on decided to take it back and deliver another pay cut to the employees.
This newspaper has done a dis-service to our empolyees and the community by characterizing this as a "mistake" , you do much better

#2 charlie on 10/29/10 at 07:53 AM [Reply]

Wow! My wife and I both read this story and are still confused! Are you are saying that there is a problem with paying paramedic salary for those working in "non"paradmedic slots? If so then I take issue with your contention.

Paramedic certification provides a knowledge base and skill set that is transferable across job descriptions. If a PARAMEDIC working on a pumper is on a rescue (could be any scenario) Georgia Law and "best Practices" standards of care will require that the paramedic certified pumper crew member act to his paramedic level of training. The county should pay for that enhanced skill set. To not pay them would set up a system where the county could say there are no paramedics slots....and not pay for them. Since the MEDICS are required to practice to that standard, great deal for the county huh!

A little quick research shows that BRAND NEW medics @ Grady make $20 per hour... Barrow county pays $14!!!!!!!!!! GRADY is hiring
Charlie

#3 Really? on 10/29/10 at 08:36 AM [Reply]

#4 Ken on 10/29/10 at 10:07 AM [Reply]

Paramedics go out and try to save life and Barrow just going to pay them 12.50 and hour?
How much was Norma Jean Brown getting paid?

#5 Blair Darst on 10/29/10 at 10:25 AM [Reply]

It appears that the vote and this article are equally confusing. As I read in the comments Georgia Law says that each paramedic or EMT-I has a duty to act if working for a fire department. As such the duty to act would mean that they be required to work to their level of training. So if an employee takes the 15 months of training to become a paramedic then they would be bound by law to function at that level. So reading the article it means that the Department (Ie BOC) would not be bound to pay those paramedic's regardless of what piece of apparatus they are assigned to on any given shift for being a paramedic. That to me sounds like a very slippery slope of having your cake and eat it too. For being a paramedic means that you are the one responsible for the patient and the care being provided that patient. You are held to the "standard of care". I know for a fact that most employees don't care to do things for free because free doesn't pay the bills or at the check out register at the grocery store.

Those within the department that took it upon themselves to get the intense 15 month training through the area colleges should be afforded the correct pay for their certification. It would be similar to a detention officer completing the Peace Officer Standard and Training basic police officer 16 week program and then going on to be a road deputy and being paid at a lower scale or his/her pay not being set to their level of training. That is a black and white issue and it is a matter of what is right and what is wrong.

I would hope that Ms. Davis being the prudent lawyer she is would have recognized that as an employer you would be required to pay someone for a higher level of training and or certification if you are going to ask that person to perform his/her job at that level. But again the article doesn't seem to address any particular issue other than pay for a EMT-I at 12 something an hour versus a Paramedic at 14 an hour.

Paramedics have always been a shortfall issue and will always be an issue due to turn over, burn out, retirement etc. That is one reason Gwinnett Fire has developed an "in house" training program to meet the needs of their department. Dedication to the department and the ability to properly serve the citizens of the county comes from within. If there is no incentive to have an employee better themselves for the benefit of the department and the citizens through pay then where does that leave us as a department. At some point in order to keep quality employees, attract potential employees these issues need to be addressed and be out there for everyone to understand.

Blair Darst

#6 2012-- People -- 2012 on 10/29/10 at 11:36 AM [Reply]

Let's not make the same mistake.

All fire personnel should be paid to the level of their certification. I don't buy this "oh well they are not working ....." YES, YES THEY ARE!!!!!

2012 is coming people. Let's replace the good ole ignorant boy system with fresh blood. We need to get EDUCATED people who have a BUSINESS/FINANCE background in office.

#6.1 Hugo Klenyen on 10/29/10 at 12:28 PM [Reply]

You're wasting your breath. The idiots who vote in this county had the opportunity to replace three of the good ole' boys in the last election and voted to keep them. I wouldn't hold my breath for any significant changes to the BOC in 2012. The bloggers and people you talk to who live in this county all say they want to change the status quo, but when it comes time to vote, nothing seems to change. As for 2012...BOHICA...

#6.1.1 Annie Omus on 10/29/10 at 02:40 PM [Reply]

I am guilty of not being a resgistered voter... that is until this year! I know, shame on me, but I have wised up and now I am a registered voter. I plan on voting these good olde boys out of here and I think alot of other people will come out and vote as well. I sure hope it works that way at least!

#7 charlie on 10/29/10 at 05:52 PM [Reply]

It would maybe different to play with CUTTING EDGE equipment and take insulting wages...That is not the case here! Maybe establish a part time program so the medics that choose to work out here don't get burnt out... 13 positions, come on guys PAY them!

#8 Jacquelin Twiss on 10/30/10 at 07:48 AM [Reply]

A few BOC meetings back, Yearwood was all "upset" that an employee who is and has been working in one department (I think - buildings) but being paid from another department (tax) would have to take a pay cut if they paid him from the department he is working in and according to the position he is and has been doing for over a year.

His explanation -- What if we need him to work in his old position for a day? Do you think he would do the job knowing he wasn't getting paid for it?

How does this differ from NOT paying paramedics what they are worth?

If the person driving the firetruck is a first responder and has paramedic certification and someone is injured, then they HAVE TO act in the role of paramedic!

Please explain to me how these two scenarios differ?

#9 observer on 10/30/10 at 07:53 AM [Reply]

Blair Durst: "...you would be required to pay someone for a higher level of training and or certification if you are going to ask that person to perform his/her job at that level."

No. It may be wise to increase the pay. It may be a huge disincentive not to raise the pay. Employees so trained may leave for better pay, but unless there is some employment agreement that obligates the county to increase pay they are not required to do so.

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