CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders approved pay raises and improved starting salaries for first responders, as well as millions of dollars for life-saving equipment for Medic Tuesday.
The move comes almost a year after the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved retention bonuses of up to $5,000. Now, hundreds of Medic employees are in line for a pay raise as the agency seeks to fill dozens of vacancies.
"Last year we did a great job, I feel like, of moving the needle forward and our starting wages for our new employees," John Peterson, Medic's executive director, said. "This is an opportunity for us to take that needle and move it forward for our existing and our tenured employees."
The number of job openings at Medic is now down to 57. At one point last year, the organization had over 70 open positions.
Now, longtime employees can expect a boost, too. County commissioners approved raises up to 7% based on an employee's time at the agency and performance reviews.
In addition, Medic has raised its minimum hourly pay from $20 to $25.
Medic says its work isn't done. The department is partnering with Central Piedmont Community College to help train new paramedics entering the workforce.
To recruit new hires, it's also offering up to $6,000 in sign-on bonuses.
The raises make Medic more competitive for employment with the Charlotte Fire Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
While first responders applaud the improvement, many say more is needed to retain employees in all agencies.
"Pay is one thing but treating people with respect and, you know, listening to our voices, along with better benefits,” Tom Brewer with the Charlotte Firefighters Association said.
"The one thing we hear over and over again is retiree health care," Brewer added. "So, some things like that they could do to help employees and that would help with retention as well."
"No division, no department is perfect," Elaine Powell said. "And so it seems that it appears just based on all the things -- the one thing we hear over and over again is you know, retiree health care. So some things like that they could do to help employees and that would help with retention as well. I've seen in the past five years that Medic is committed to continuous improvement."
County commissioners also approved $4.8 million to replace cardiac equipment, less than a year after Medic got new cardiac monitors. The agency says there have been ongoing issues with the vendor and equipment delivery. Its caused delays in therapy and diagnosis.
Now, Medic is looking to replace the current monitors as soon as possible to improve its efforts to care for patients.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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