Q&A
EMS headcount and increased call volume
0:28:26
·
87 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola questions Chief Michael Fields about EMS headcount increases in response to rising call volumes. Chief Fields explains that while they have increased headcount through regular academy classes, they face challenges with attrition as many members leave for other job opportunities.
- EMS tries to process 180-200 new members every 4 months
- Staffing issues are mainly due to high attrition rates
- The department struggles to keep recruitment pace with attrition
Joann Ariola
0:28:26
Thank you, chief.
0:28:27
Thank you for your testimony.
0:28:30
I'd like to jump right in and go to the portion of your testimony about increased call volume since that's the whole meaning for this particular hearing.
0:28:45
So has you're saying that and you gave all us gave us all of the statistics and the years, and I appreciate that information.
0:28:54
But has EMS headcount increased has the EMS headcount increased to account for the rising call volume?
0:29:04
Have you looked at increasing the headcount at EMS?
Michael Fields
0:29:11
So with respect to the MS head count, it it has increased.
0:29:14
Over that period of time, we have a open academy in which we try to process at least 180 to 200 members every 4 minutes.
0:29:24
We do that in in in anticipation for promotional examination that's coming in September of 2025.
0:29:32
So in respects to staffing, we haven't had that issue.
0:29:36
With that.
0:29:36
The problem that we're having in the situation, we have a a large number of members that are leaving, the department to seek work other places.
0:29:46
So trying to establish recruitment or to keep the recruitment up with the amount of attrition has been the problem.
