The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 3 recognized Michelle Hobson of Mitchell DSS as its most recent Employee of the Month. She is pictured with Board Chair Steve Pitman.
At the six-month mark of providing EMS service to the area, things are going well for Mitchell Medics, Director Bryant Reid told the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 3 during the board’s regular meeting.
Mitchell Medics took over local EMS service this past July and at that time, just 61 percent of full-time positions were filled.
Reid said he and his staff have worked hard to remedy that, adding that two employees returned to Mitchell Medics after previously leaving. Mitchell Medics has hired seven full-time positions.
For January, 92 percent of shifts are covered and all 24-hour positions are committed and filled. Reid said he has jumped into the field and helped cover any necessary shifts, which he said he is happy to continue doing as needed.
Commissioner Jeff Harding praised Mitchell Medics for filling positions.
“We all need to realize that you guys inherited a mess,” Harding said. “Let’s just be real honest. You started out 61 percent down and got up to 92 percent. That’s pretty dang good in a rural community. I’m very proud of what you’ve done.”
Mitchell Medics is now eying the implementation of dual-paramedic trucks. The original goal was to have dual-paramedic trucks in place by Dec. 31. Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff asked Reid how that was going.
“Honestly, not where we want to be,” Reid said. “Just to be blunt and honest with you.”
Reid said many paramedics are leaving the 911 side to work in other branches.
“There’s not necessarily a shortage of paramedics but a shortage of ones that want to go to 911,” he said.
Reid added that the stress of the ongoing pandemic has likely contributed.
Commissioner Brandon Pittman made a motion to give Mitchell Medics an additional 90 days to work toward establishing dual-paramedic trucks.
The motion was unanimously approved and Reid agreed, adding that he thinks the county should get what it pays for.
Reid said Mitchell Medics is working to revamp its recruitment model, fine-tune training, increase public involvement via social media and public programs and continue to work toward establishing a community paramedicine program.
Reid said Mitchell Medics has added supervisor positions to help mitigate some administrative work. Overall, he added, morale is up within his organization.
In other action, commissioners:
• Recognized Michelle Hobson as the latest County Employee of the Month. Hobson, who works for the Mitchell County Department of Social Services, has been covering for a co-worker who has been out sick for several weeks. She has handled an increased workload with a positive attitude, said Board Chair Steve Pitman. She provides exceptional service to adult Medicaid clients, he added.
• Unanimously approved a decision to have Intermountain Children Director Robin Willis attend an upcoming meeting and bring a pair of quotes for a new storage building that her organization has requested funding for.
• Recognized Lloyd Hise as interim county manager. The meeting was his first in the interim manager role after the retirement of Tim Greene, effective Friday, Dec. 31.