August 23rd, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Problems continue between the Allegany County Commissioners and IAFF 1715 – the union representing the EMTs and Paramedics that work for the county.  The recent layoff of six EMS employees by the county in an attempt to close a budget deficit has now been made more difficult by news from Union President Steve Corioni that other employees will be leaving for employment elsewhere, taking the manpower shortage to 10.  Corioni addressed the commissioners, saying that the shortage now will not easily be overcome and that morale is at a low point…

I think it’s a shame.  I think it’s going to hurt the community. I think it’s going to hurt our ability to respond to calls. It’s going to put more stress on our people because our people are going to be running more calls. The burnout is going to be higher; the turnover is going to continue to be high.  I think in a year or two you are going to realize oh crap we shouldn’t have done this. We’re going to need to fill some vacancies. I think you’re going to have heck of a hard time finding people. Because who wants to come to work for a place that’s laying off people?”