It’s a response to complaints about an incident but also would bring Swain County Emergency Management Services in line with other counties in the state. EMS Director Brandon Wiggins has submitted a request before the Swain County Board of Commissioners to add four EMS shift supervisors to have someone available at all hours during the day to respond to and manage higher level calls. According to Wiggins, Swain County is the only service in western North Carolina and possibly the state that doesn’t currently operate with a model of having supervisors 24 hours a day.
In his request, Wiggins said the incidents could have been mitigated or even prevented. The incident was a medical emergency of an older woman that happened during Swain youth football games. The department was criticized for lacking organization and urgency in the response.
Wiggins explained the change will require additional county funding, although he anticipates most of the cost will be offset by reduced overtime hours since those positions will be exempt.
When Wiggins was first before the board on the topic during last month’s county work session meeting, he said, “I think it’s necessary; there’s not another EMS service that doesn’t have shift supervisors. The reason being there’s a shortage of paramedics … many move on after a couple of years.”
He added that competing with other districts is also a challenge.
“One problem is experienced people go where the money is,” he said. “Our base salary is not enough to recruit and retain the experienced medics that are out there.”
He noted that nationwide, there is a shortage of paramedics, particularly those with experience.
“These positions are long overdue and are an immediate, crucial need for the service,” Wiggins wrote in his request.
Before the board at this month’s regular meeting is a budget amendment request for $175,000.
At the work session this month, held Tuesday, Oct. 1, the board briefly discussed the plan that creates four shift supervisor positions and adds two additional paramedic positions for EMS. They noted that the department currently has two open paramedic positions.
“Will these positions help with overtime?” asked Commissioner Kenneth Parton.
The response was yes but that they are already having a hard time filling the current positions.
Interim County Manager Lottie Barker said the allocation would come from the county fund balance. She agreed that it’s an important expense.
Then, the board briefly discussed the cost of overtime. Barker estimated it’s probably triple the budget amendment request, to which Commissioner David Loftis said, “that’s terrible!”
“Let’s pay ‘em more,” Loftis continued, saying “we’d be saving money from not working them overtime.”
He said the county would do better to increase the salaries than to be paying out so much in overtime.
“I’m willing to try the positions,” said Parton.
Commission Chairman Kevin Seagle agreed, saying the board should look at the salaries and begin with adding the supervisory positions.