First responders needed in Lansing during shortage

LANSING Mich. (WLNS) – First responders are hard to come by these days, especially paramedics. So, Lansing is trying to sweeten the pot for new recruits.

As Michigan experiences this shortage, fire departments are doing what they can to bring in new workers. The Lansing Fire Department is offering extra incentives to get people on their team.

Officials say the shortage has lasted years and they’re looking for firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. LFD’s assistant chief of administration, Carrie Edwards-Clemons, explained where the shortage stemmed from.

“A lot of people decided they were going to do other things, a lot of guys changed careers. So we felt a big hit at that time,” Edwards-Clemons said.

Not having enough workers puts a lot of strain on the staff they do have, so the department is looking to bring in around 25 new employees. Edwards-Clemons said anyone wanting to serve their community is qualified—they’ll teach you everything else you need to know.

“If you have some skills, come on in. If you don’t have any skills, we will bring you in and we will train you,” Edwards-Clemons said.

During training, you can make more than $40,000 a year. Once you are out of the academy you can make anywhere from $55,000 to $80,000. Edwards-Clemons said on top of pay and benefits, if you become a paramedic you get extra money every day you work a med unit. She said that is the job most in need.

The EMS director at Lansing Community College, Jacob Callahan, is seeing the same thing and said this is a nationwide issue.

“EMTs are limited in what paramedics can do so much more and can serve our communities in such a broader way,” Callahan said.

LCC works with LFD to provide workers with EMS training. Callahan said if you feel called to become a first responder you should pursue it.

“We know what we need so we are going to train you to do that so you can be what the residents need,” Edwards-Clemons said.

The deadline to apply for the Lansing Fire Department is Nov. 1st.

Officials say they’ll give you all the training you need. You can come in knowing nothing—all you need is a good heart.

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