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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM <br />Agenda Date Requested: April 22, 2019 <br />Requested By: Ray Nolen, EMS Chief <br />Department: EMS <br />Report ir Resolution 1�'°' Ordinance <br />Exhibits: <br />1) EMS Compensation Study 2019 - PowerPoint <br />Appropriation <br />Source of Funds: <br />Account Number: <br />Amount Budgeted: <br />Amount Requested: <br />Budgeted Item: ir Yes i; No <br />SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION <br />An updated review of the current EMS pay plan that was implemented as a result of the <br />2017 Compensation Study recently had to be conducted due to the amount of <br />increased turnover that the department has been experiencing along with significant <br />struggles in recruitment. <br />EMS has experienced a total of 35 vacancies within the last nine years with 18 of those <br />35 coming in the last five years. These 35 vacancies represent 30 resignations, 3 <br />terminations and 2 retirements. <br />EMS has observed a significant drop in the number of qualified applications received <br />during the last five years and has had to rely on hiring interested interns to fill paramedic <br />positions because of the lack of licensed paramedics applying for the open positions. <br />These vacancies have created an abundance of mandatory overtime situations forced <br />on paramedical staff which eventually results in a negative impact on their overall <br />mental and physical health along with creating an environment for low morale. <br />Area EMS agencies are increasing their efforts in recruiting by increasing salaries, <br />implementing sign on bonuses and offering relocation compensation to overcome <br />staffing shortages. These efforts have resulted in La Porte investing a lot of time, money <br />and resources into our staff to only have them leave for higher wages offered by our <br />neighboring communities. <br />