With volunteers not readily available, per diem positions are being created

Thirty-five years ago, Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Service had no trouble finding volunteers. In fact, a year after service began in 1966 it had 160 members. "It's gone downhill since," said Director of Operations Jeff Tewksbury. "With changes in the economy and so many families needing dual incomes, people just don't have the time anymore."

This month, the service began its search for paid employees to fill the void. A recent advertisement in the Suburban News seeks per diem individuals to fill dispatch, driver and paramedic positions at rates of $8 to $12 per hour. Dispatchers must be 18 years of age, while drivers, medics and paramedics must have valid New York State driver's licenses and the proper certification.

"Over the years, we have become more dependent on other ambulance corps and paid services," explained Tewksbury. The service contracted with Rural/Metro Medical Services in 1996 for two paid employees - a Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and an Advanced EMT (Paramedic), who work between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Other changes to the service occurred at about the same time. Billing for services, for example, became necessary when donations did not keep up with costs incurred and most people's health insurance policies covered the cost of ambulance transportation.

Also at that time, Advance Life Support training became available, giving staff the opportunity to learn and use more advanced skills, such as intubation, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and administering intravenous fluids and medications. But more training meant more time and many volunteers weren't willing to put in the 120 hours required for initial basic certification and 80 hours every three years to maintain that certification, let alone the 700 plus hours to learn more advanced skills.

More recently, Rural/Metro negotiated a pay increase for its employees, making it more cost prohibitive for Spencerport Ambulance to add their paid employees to its staff. "Right now, we only have two paid employees on duty during the day, so if a call comes in, only one can respond because the other has to remain at the station," explained Tewksbury. "He/she can take the flycar and be the first on the scene, but they can't transport the patient. That means that another ambulance service transports the patient and bills for the service. The problem is, we've still incurred the expenses of having to pay for both employees, but can't bill for the service.

Spencerport Ambulance answered about 1,300 calls last year, but only transported in 750 to 780 of the cases. Having a third person, such as a dispatcher, at the station would permit the two EMT's to respond to calls in the ambulance and transport if need be, Tewksbury explained.

Spencerport Ambulance has resisted having the 911-call center in Rochester dispatch its calls, which would eliminate the need for a dispatcher, because of the service's 35-year presence in the community. "It's important that we have someone at the station. Last year alone we had 135 people walk in with some medical condition, and maybe four times that amount for blood pressure checks" said Tewksbury. Spencerport Ambulance also handles distributing medical equipment for the Spencerport Lions' Club loan closet, so if someone in the community is in need of an item like crutches or a wheelchair, it can be borrowed there free of charge.

According to Tewksbury, the Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Board of Directors decided to hire per diem employees instead of regular hourly or salaried staff because there's more flexibility with hours. "The job would be a second job for most employees and would save Spencerport Ambulance a great deal in providing minimal benefits," he added. They are hoping to hire eight to ten people who are willing to work between four and six hours per week. For more information call 352-1717 or to fill out an application, stop by Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance at 116 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport. Applications are being accepted continuously.