In a PowerPoint slide presentation titled “Year to date update” at the 9/25/18 Board of Trustees Meeting, Oakland Township Fire Department (OTFD) Chief Paul Strelchuk presented these statements :

• Currently one full-time FF/Paramedic out on injury leave
• One may have to go on leave
• All shifts are covered by the remaining staff, creating Overtime and Burnout. One paid on call paramedic can fill in when available.

and

• Fire response requirements exceed our staffing levels and rely heavily on Mutual aid agreements.

The primary response of the Board of Trustees to these concerns was to call for Chief Strelchuk to speed up hiring of part-time EMT’s. ($15/hour, max 32 hour work week as directed by Board at 3/13/18 Board Meeting)

It is not clear to me how EMT’s can legally fill roles as either paramedics or firefighters.

The Chief’s recommendation was made in this statement on one of his slides

• No available swing type person to take some of the load. Might be something to consider to reduce overtime and burnout

There was no motion nor discussion pertaining to  this possible option.