Lee County’s struggles with possible EMS changes roll on

LEESBURG — The Lee County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting Tuesday evening in an attempt to settle its ongoing efforts to reduce costs in its Emergency Medical Services Department without reducing services.

According to reports, Lee County spent more than $213,000 in overtime in the department last year. Board Chair Rick Muggridge said the County’s budget includes overtime for EMS personnel. Last year the county budgeted $166,700 for EMS overtime.

Lee County currently employs 36 full-time EMTs and paramedics, who work 24/72 schedules, which means they’re on duty for 24 hours and then off for the next 72 hours. Of those 36, 31 work part-time in other counties — the majority with Dougherty County EMS.

Options discussed by the board would be changing the work schedule from 24/72 to 24/48 (one day on duty, followed by two days off) and consolidating EMS under one budget with the county fire department, which operates five manned stations. At issue with that schedule change is that some personnel employed by Lee EMS also work at EMS departments in other counties, which could result in scheduling conflicts and loss of personnel for the county.

Muggridge presented a proposal to the board that included merging the Lee EMS with the Lee County Fire Department under the aegis of the Lee County Public Safety Department and bringing the EMS schedules in line with the LCFD. The proposal also included the creation of a pilot program at one station while vacating the Public Safety Director position, which is currently held by Bobby Watkins. Muggridge also recommended cross-training for all fire department and EMS personnel.

EMS employees are opposed to the scheduling change, which they say will cost them at least one part-time day per week. EMS refusal to accept the proposed 24-48 shift has created a rift between the LCFD and the county’s EMS personnel.

Muggridge’s proposal, however, died for lack of a motion

“One of the reasons we created the PSD was an attempt to reduce the tension that exists between the two departments,” Muggridge said. “I am not aware that that situation has gotten any better. We need to transition to a 24/48 schedule for EMS personnel who are also trained in fire suppression. We could reduce full-time personnel, and while it would not reduce the cost to man a station, it does reduce the cost of employee benefits by at least $15,000 a year per position.

“However the downside of this shift is anxiety and angst within the ranks and the community.”

The rescheduling of EMS shifts is the major stumbling block to resolving the situation.

“After looking over your proposal, I agree with all points except for the shift change,” Commissioner Greg Frich said. “Quite frankly, I see very little new benefit in moving from 24/72 to 24/48. I don’t understand how going to 48 benefits Lee County. I am afraid we will lose advanced EMTs to Dougherty County because some people will have to decide if they will work in Dougherty or Lee county.

“I don’t see the advantage of 24/48. … I just don’t see the magic in that box.”

Commissioner Billy Mathis agreed.

“It we combine the departments, it would make sense for everybody to work the same shifts,” Mathis said. “I still don’t see a magic bullet in 24/48, but there is one by combining the departments. Do we look for efficiency like it’s being done elsewhere? I also think the pilot program is a good idea, but the question is how do we keep our people and keep everybody happy?”

After a two-plus-hour discussion, Frich made a motion to task Watkins, Howell and interim county co-managers Christi Dockery and Mike Sistrunk with putting together a plan to increase the efficiency of the EMS Department without cutting services. The board set a July 1 deadline to receive the report.

Another motion to “vacate the job of PSD director indefinitely” also was passed.

Both motions were unanimously approved.

“We need to let these four smart people take care of our scheduling morass and give us options,” Frich said.