Cumberland County Emergency Services searching for new help, especially part time EMTs.
EMS Director Chris Miller said the department is well staffed, but growth in the county means they are always looking for good part time employees. Miller said being an EMT is not for everyone, but the work is very rewarding.
“It comes down to the individual wanting to give back to the community,” Miller said. “It is a fast paced, kind of adrenaline driven job, and it changes daily. So, if that’s something you’re interested i, you might want to look into getting into emergency services.”
Miller said recruiting and retaining quality EMTs is a challenge nationwide because of the long shifts and strenuous work. Miller said Cumberland County has a few programs for people who are not EMTs, but have interest in the career. He said juniors and seniors in high school may come for a ride along. Ride alongs are also open to community members who want to give it a try.
“We are one of the few EMS services in the state of Tennessee, and one of two in the Upper Cumberland that we do teach EMT at the service level,” Miller said. “We teach it here at the service. We have a good mentoring, as I said, we do have a good ride along program here for people looking to get into the business.”
Miller said the job is physically demanding too, but technological advances have helped ease some of the physicality. In Cumberland County, Miller said EMTs typically work ten 24-hour shifts a month.
Miller said the EMT program offered by Cumberland County EMS can prepare prospective EMTs to work for any county in the Upper Cumberland.
Miller said EMTs should be compassionate and have a desire to serve others, but those are not the only defining traits of people in the position.
“You’ve got to be pretty self-motivated, want to be a part of something that’s greater than you as an individual, represent the community, and the service,” Miller said.
People interested in working for Cumberland County EMS can find more information and the link to apply on the EMS Facebook page.