Operations at the city’s Emergency Medical Services Division appear to be running smoothly following a conversion to 12-hour shifts that took place Aug. 31 for most of the roughly 200 paramedics and emergency medical technicians, EMS officials said.
They acknowledged, however, that shifts at two EMS stations were forced to shut down Aug. 30, the day before the switch, because of staffing shortages caused by the conversion.
"The public continues to receive the highest level of pre-hospital care," city Emergency Services Department Director Mark Rigg said in a statement. "We are pleased with the state of the 12-hour shift. We understand that with any pilot program, there is an adjustment period."
By converting to 12-hour shifts from eight-hour shifts, most EMS paramedics and EMTs (emergency medical technicians) now work three- and four-day weeks rather than five-day weeks. By keeping EMS personnel fresher through shorter workweeks, the department believes it can cut down on absenteeism and mandatory overtime.
EMS workers also receive a night differential of $1 an hour and meal reimbursement under the plan.
The department also hopes the new work schedule will make it easier to retain employees, many of whom cite burnout for leaving.
The agreement with the United Public Workers union allows for the pilot program to be reassessed after a year. If successful, the switch will be permanent.
Emergency Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright said that on Aug. 30 private ambulance operator AMR had to cover the Waimanalo area from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the Makakilo area from 3 to 11 p.m.
"The reason the EMS Division closed two units on Saturday is due to its responsibility to allow for the personnel to be relieved from their eight-hour shifts, in order for them to be available to return to begin their 12-hour shifts" that began at midnight Aug. 31, she said. "This did result in a shortage of personnel."
Since then, however, AMR has not been called in to assist as a result of any station closures, she said.
Enright said that the week of Aug. 24, EMS required 1,896 hours of overtime, including mandatory eight-hour OT shifts for 56 employees.
The week of Aug. 31, EMS needed 192 hours of overtime, and all were voluntary.
As for staff shortages, 13 EMTs are expected to complete orientation and join the ranks by the end of this month.
That will leave EMS with eight vacancies for paramedics and 15 for EMTs, Enright said.
