ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. 鈥� Escambia County continues to face a shortage of emergency responders. In October, reported 11 paramedic openings 鈥� a number that has since risen to 17 as of Feb. 13.
Officials say call volumes are already higher than usual for this time of year, and with spring break approaching, demand is expected to increase even further, putting additional strain on an already stretched staff.
Escambia County EMS Chief Christopher Watts said progress is being made in filling the gaps. They recently hired three new paramedics even before receiving approval to add four more positions. Additionally, they are working on reassigning roles to better distribute resources.
Escambia County paramedics earn $25.32 per hour, but Watts says the shortage goes beyond pay, even as negotiations for higher wages continue.
鈥淵ou could work other jobs for the same or even better pay, in some cases, and have much less responsibility than people鈥檚 lives,鈥� said Watts. 鈥淪o that鈥檚 a contributing factor, and unfortunately, it鈥檚 just, we鈥檙e not recruiting enough people in the field to begin with.鈥�
Watts said the county is still offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus, which comes along with a three-year commitment. He says the agency is modifying its schedule so paramedics have more shifts to choose from. He is hopeful these incentives will attract more paramedics to the field.
