Aug 9, 2024 – Olive Branch city officials are right now dealing with a current shortage of those entering into the field of Emergency Medical Services as paramedics.
Friday, fire and city administration officials Friday announced that the fire department is offering day one enrollment in the paramedic program with the hiring of an ambulance driver.
The City will pay all costs for the three required semesters of the paramedic program up front for these students, an amount that currently is estimated at around $8,000.
Once the program is completed, students will have to take the National Registry paramedic exam to attain their license. After passing the exam and successfully meeting job requirements, the City will promote their rank and pay to a paramedic.
In return, these individuals will be responsible to be employed by the City for at least two years for the cost of the program. The salary increases these EMS professionals receive is approximately $17,000 when they are promoted to paramedic.
This program is also offered to all Fire Department employees who wish to participate in it.
Fire Chief Johnny Eason said he believes this program to be invaluable to the future of the department where it concerns recruitment for the necessary staffing for paramedics.
“This program is an asset to the Fire Department and will help with recruitment and retention of Nationally Registered paramedics,” Eason said.
Mayor Ken Adams added he and the Board of Aldermen will continue to invest in first responder programs.
