End the ‘premium pay’

Clark County is paying millions of dollars in extra wages -- an additional 5 percent to 12 percent in "premium pay" -- to firefighters certified as medical technicians and paramedics.

The pay goes to those who have acquired the certificates, whether they're called on to use those skills on the job or not. The arrangement costs taxpayers an extra $2.4 million per year, some of that explained by the fact that premium pay boosts firefighter pensions.

Premium pay is one point at issue as the county and the local firefighters union prepare to enter contract arbitration.

A reported 362 of the Fire Department's employees are now certified as intermediate EMTs and 212 as paramedics, well exceeding the 222 EMTs and 150 paramedics needed to cover minimum staffing requirements year-round and comply with Southern Nevada Health District guidelines.

"It's just another way to bump up their pay," says County Commissioner Steve Sisolak.

Those enjoying this largesse don't even have to pay for their own training. The county pays for the EMT and paramedic classes. Firefighters can take re-certification training at their stations while on duty.

Sixty-three firefighters are basic EMTs. They cost the county $250,000 in premium pay last year, despite the fact few if any do medical work because those tasks are assigned to the paramedics and experienced EMTs on their teams, according to a county source who asked not to be named.

Such altruism would never stand in the private sector, where most taxpayers labor. John Wilson, spokesman for AMR and MedicWest Ambulance, reports the EMTs and paramedics at his company get no permanent bump in wages.

Even Commissioner Tom Collins, a strong union advocate, says premium pay should be trimmed, along with longevity and travel pay. But Mr. Collins says he's not sure it would be wise to reduce the number of available medical personnel, arguing too many are better than too few.

True.

So: Require the firefighters, many of whom already make more than $100,000 per year, to take the tax-funded training. Make it a job requirement. Pay them nothing extra. "That's part of their job," Mr. Sisolak argues. "It's what the job entails."

Premium pay is yet another perk added to the firefighters' contracts back when the county was flush with cash, Mr. Sisolak explains. "The sweet contract days are over."

Amen.