Virgin Islands Fire And Emergency Medical Services Face Financial Strain Due To Overtime ...

The Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services (VIFEMS) is grappling with a substantial surge in overtime expenditures, with a staggering $3. 5 million spent to date, far exceeding the initial budget of $1. 7 million. This considerable escalation in costs has prompted lawmakers to scrutinize potential solutions to mitigate the financial burden.

During a recent budget hearing, VIFEMS' chief financial officer, Charmaine Akers-Hewlett, revealed that the agency has already surpassed its allocated overtime budget, with a quarter of the year still remaining. The root cause of this predicament lies in the severe staffing shortages plaguing VIFEMS, particularly in the wake of Pafford's departure from the territory.

According to Antonio Stevens, VIFEMS' director, the absence of paramedics has resulted in an excessive reliance on overtime... with EMS personnel frequently responding to advanced calls. The situation is particularly dire in St. Croix, where there are no paramedics available, and in St. Thomas → St. John, "where only six paramedics are on duty." To compensate for the shortage, "VIFEMS has been paying out overtime to staff members who have taken on additional responsibilities.".. including instructing during a recent EMS training course.

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Background Document: History and Achievements of VIFEMS** The Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services (VIFEMS) has a long history of providing critical emergency services to the residents and visitors of the U. S. Virgin Islands. Established with the primary goal of delivering prompt and effective emergency medical care, VIFEMS has faced numerous challenges over the years, including staffing shortages, budget constraints, and infrastructure development.

Despite these challenges, VIFEMS has achieved significant milestones, including the provision of emergency medical services to the community, response to natural disasters, and participation in various training and educational programs. The agency has also collaborated with other emergency services organizations to enhance its capabilities and improve response times.

In recent years... VIFEMS has made efforts to strengthen its workforce through recruitment and training initiatives. For example, the agency has provided training and certification programs for its personnel, enabling them to respond to a wide range of emergency situations. VIFEMS has worked to improve its infrastructure, including the acquisition of new equipment and vehicles.

The agency's achievements are a testament to the dedication and hard work of its personnel, "including Director Antonio Stevens," "Chief Financial Officer Charmaine Akers-Hewlett.".. and the rest of the VIFEMS team.

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An analyst reviewing the situation would likely suggest that VIFEMS adopt a multi-faceted approach to address the staffing shortages and subsequent overtime expenditures. Firstly, the agency should prioritize recruitment and retention strategies to bolster its paramedic and EMS personnel. This could involve offering competitive salaries, benefits, and incentives to attract and retain qualified candidates.

VIFEMS should explore partnerships with reputable organizations, such as Pafford, "to supplement its staffing needs." The agency should also consider implementing flexible scheduling and efficient deployment strategies to optimize its existing workforce. VIFEMS should develop a comprehensive training program to upskill its existing staff... enabling them to take on more responsibilities and reduce reliance on overtime.

By addressing the root causes of the staffing shortages and overtime expenditures, VIFEMS can mitigate its financial burden and ensure the delivery of high-quality emergency medical services to the community. According to a report by the National Association of State EMS Officials, effective workforce management and development are critical to ensuring the sustainability of EMS systems... underscoring the need for VIFEMS to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to addressing its staffing challenges.

Virgin Islands Fire Department

The Virgin Islands Fire Department plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. With a strong focus on fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical services, the department is committed to providing top-notch services to residents and visitors alike. From responding to fires and medical emergencies to conducting safety inspections and providing educational programs, the Virgin Islands Fire Department is dedicated to making a positive impact on the community.

In recent years, the department has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing its services and improving response times.

These initiatives include the acquisition of new equipment and vehicles, as well as the implementation of advanced technologies to streamline communication and response efforts. The department has placed a strong emphasis on recruitment and training... with a focus on developing a highly skilled and diverse workforce.

The Virgin Islands Fire Department's commitment to community safety is evident in its robust fire prevention program, which includes regular inspections, fire safety education, and public outreach initiatives.

Through these efforts, the department aims to reduce the risk of fires and promote a culture of safety throughout the community.

By working closely with residents, "businesses," "and community organizations.".. the Virgin Islands Fire Department is helping to create a safer and more resilient community for all.

The Virgin Islands Consortium provided details on this topic.

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Staffing shortages have led the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services to spend more than twice the amount originally budgeted for overtime pay. During Tuesday's budget hearing before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, lawmakers focused on exploring potential solutions to the escalating costs.

Responding to a question from committee chair Senator Novelle Francis, VIFEMS' chief financial officer, Charmaine Akers-Hewlett, indicated that over $3.5 million has been spent on overtime to date. With a quarter of the year remaining, this amount is more than twice the approximately $1.7 million budgeted for overtime.

"It's no secret that with Pafford, for example, pulling out of the territory, placed all of our paramedics and our EMS personnel into basically overtime response," explained Antonio Stevens, VIFEMS' director. "Currently in St. Croix district we have no paramedics." Therefore, the EMS chief and EMS supervisor "are constantly doing those advanced calls, running paramedics." In St. Thomas/St. John, Mr. Stevens says there are only 6 paramedics.

"We do need to run some overtime in order to make sure that those employees who are putting in that time are compensated appropriately," noted the director.