Iowa EMS Agency to Increase Salaries

Sioux City Journal, Iowa

The Sioux City Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt a new salary schedule for Emergency Medical Services employees.

Sioux City Fire Rescue started the new EMS Division Jan. 1 to fill the void left by Siouxland Paramedics, the nonprofit agency that stopped providing emergency services at the end of last year, citing financial difficulties.

According to documents filed with the city, pay for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) needs to be increased to be competitive with other employers and other EMS agencies. For example, an EMT Basic without experience started at $10 an hour in 2018. Under the new salary schedule, the starting rate increases to $12.30 an hour in 2019. Experienced EMTs will start one step above their start rate, while a step system will be implemented in the Lead Medic/Training Officer category. All steps are based on one year of service.

The documents state the payroll within the operating budget will also increase by 2.5 percent for a cost-of-living adjustment.

Ten EMTs and nine paramedics will receive a base $2 per hour raise. Some of the EMTs are or will be in the paramedic class and eligible for paramedic pay upon completion of the course.