Waubeka department offers stipend to attract more first responders

In an effort to increase the number of applicants, the Waubeka Fire Department is now offering a stipend for first responders who run ambulance calls for the department.

The stipend program, which began on Jan. 1, will pay $15 to $25 per call, depending on the person’s license qualifications.

“We are one of the last departments in the county to offer a stipend or some type of payment for services provided by EMS responders,” Fire Chief Jason Caswell said.

“EMS responders invest a lot of time annually running calls plus obtaining continuing education hours in order to keep their licenses up to date.

Caswell said it’s not unusual for each call to last about two hours, from the time the call comes in to when a patient report is entered in the computer.  

Continuing education is acquired during the year and comprised of in-house training and some online courses.

Initial training costs are covered by the department, Caswell said.

“We are hopeful this new program might also attract new members from the area who might consider making a little extra money while giving back to their community,” Caswell said in a press release. “Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people who are actively looking to get into this type of work.”

Stipends are paid through insurance charged during the calls so that taxes paid to the department by local towns are not affected by the new program, he said.

For more information, call 692-2656 or visit waubekafiredept.com.