As a scarcity of EMS staff appears to be getting worse, a southern Maine group desires to take motion.
North Berwick officers imagine they’ve provide you with an answer for his or her staffing points.
“It’s not sustainable,” North Berwick Rescue Squad Chief Michael Barker mentioned.
For years, the North Berwick Rescue Squad has been staffed by per-diem, or part-time, EMTs and paramedics. It’s now harder to fill shifts.
“We have been providing some incentives, a variety of additional time pay, even providing some shifts at double time,” Barker mentioned.
With extra competitors amongst communities for staff, leaders mentioned it’s not value efficient and tough to take care of. That’s why they need to rent 4 full-time EMS staff.
“Providing some full-time alternatives, you realize, helps, get the medical health insurance, have some paid day off, have some stability,” Barker mentioned.
The group would nonetheless have per-diem staff.
Officers need to enhance their wages from the present $24 an hour to $30.
“These are educated professionals they usually’re deserving of more cash,” North Berwick Board of Selectmen Chair Charles Galemmo mentioned.
If authorized, city officers mentioned this might enhance the common tax invoice by $90 this yr.
“We’re between a rock and a tough place,” Galemmo mentioned.
Galemmo mentioned the city and rescue squad has some funding obtainable to initially cut back the impression to group members.
“It gained’t be one huge bounce in a single yr, will probably be smaller jumps,” Galemmo mentioned.
A part of the long run prices shall be offset by insurance coverage.
He believes that is essentially the most cost-effective answer that was thought-about and nonetheless maintains a excessive stage of service.
“Once you dial 911, you need somebody to indicate up, it’s not for enjoyable, so we felt this was the most suitable choice for the city,” Galemmo mentioned.
This subject will go earlier than voters throughout a particular assembly Tuesday evening.
