Escambia EMTs And Paramedics Get Pay Increases

October 22, 2021

The Escambia County Commission on Thursday approved pay raises for EMTs and paramedics with a new union agreement.

Effective with the next pay cycle, the hourly base wage rate for newly hired and existing employees will be:

Also effective with the next pay period, the hourly base wage rate for existing full-time employee covered by the collective bargaining agreement will be increased by:

“While all Public Safety employees are critical to the essential functions of Escambia County, this was needed to be competitive for the wages paid for our paramedics and EMTs throughout the Panhandle,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore.

With their vote Thursday, the commission formally approved an agreement with the  International Association of EMT’s and Paramedics, the National Association of Government Employees and Services Employees International Union Local 5000.

Comments

6 Responses to “Escambia EMTs And Paramedics Get Pay Increases”

  1. Wheels down on October 23rd, 2021 7:53 pm

    Yhea! For the raise well deserved. Now maybe they should make sure they are stocked up with proper equipment before rolling out to a heart attack call or cardiac arrest. Those life saving devices should be kept on all ambulances! Thank you for your service

  2. John on October 23rd, 2021 5:40 am

    Although any increase is welcomed to repair the years of wage neglect by the county, the increase still is well below the state and national average. This factor makes it difficult to recruit young EMTs who have the flexibility to move where opportunities are available at a hire rate, including other areas of work were there certification applies such as one of our local hospitals. With the COLA rate at about 6% this year do to inflation, the percentage increase will only serve to keep those with a higher tenor at a leveled rate. Knowing the county’s way of bargaining I doubt there will be a true COLA in addition to the scheduled increase outlined here which would be a shame, but not surprising. Escambia EMS as a self sustaining county owned business that is not tax payer funded that brings a substantial amount of money to the county annually that is often ‘diverted’ to other county operational areas due to poor financial management.. Perhaps if the commission focused on correcting the need to continually divert funds, perhaps proper employee compensation (thus recruiting/retention) will follow.

  3. Robert hansen on October 22nd, 2021 4:32 pm

    I worked from 1976 to 2007 as a paramedic on the streets of st Louis and suffered low wages until the last 7 years of employment so I was appalled at the current wages for emts and medics . I hope this only a start for improving conditions in Escambia county for all first responders in this day and age. Thank you to all of you serving our community.

  4. No One on October 22nd, 2021 3:40 pm

    EMS has had a reputation of bad pay, and running too many calls per shift, for a long time. They cared more about recruiting than retention.

    This might be a step in the right direction.

  5. Lou on October 22nd, 2021 2:44 pm

    Outstanding.. still they should.get more money, and respect. They save life’s everyday. Thank you for your service.

  6. Debbie on October 22nd, 2021 5:49 am

    Thank you Commissioners for finally doing what should have been done a long time ago . People’s lives have been put at risk while waiting for you to do the right thing . My sister lay in the floor on the coldest night we had this year for an hour and a half with both hips broke , her pelvic broke , several fractures in her back and neck while waiting for an ambulance . The fire department never responded either . If you would have paid them better I don’t think we would have been so badly short handed .
    Let’s continue to do right by these professionals that we need so desperately . It could be you or your loved one that need them next .

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News