Beginning on Tuesday and lasting over the weekend and into the first part of this week the current CFPD staff paramedic and the current CFPD per diem paramedic called in sick to work at CFPD. According to Chief Cantrell, last minute coverage was found when “ALA (American Legion Ambulance) put out an ‘all call’ to available personnel to assist us.”
Monday morning the District was not covered from 8:00 am to approximately 2:00 pm. At 2:00 pm a per diem medic from ALA came on duty. Chief Cantrell stated that he has contacted all the ALS (Advanced Life Support) providers in the County due to the staffing difficulties and all are prepared to help with coverage so that lack of coverage will not happen again. Chief Cantrell states, "We are going to provide the best service we can under the current fiscal restraints."
Last week Chief Cantrell added six per diem medics to the District’s roster, 3 from ALA, 1 per diem from Ebbett’s Pass, 1 from MT Hospital and one per diem paramedic. All are Mountain Valley acredited medics.
The District has a history of Paramedic discord.
In January 2006 Copperopolis Fire District saw the resignation of four paramedics claiming harassment and intolerable work conditions due to their public opposition of newly elected Board member Mario Hernandez. Chief Powers immediately replaced the four paramedics stating, “We're maintaining…the fire board, the employees of Copperopolis Fire District and I are committed to providing the best service to the community that is fiscally possible, and although there are always many challenges, I do not foresee any additional staffing shortfalls."
The District has a history of Paramedic discord.
In January 2006 Copperopolis Fire District saw the resignation of four paramedics claiming harassment and intolerable work conditions due to their public opposition of newly elected Board member Mario Hernandez. Chief Powers immediately replaced the four paramedics stating, “We're maintaining…the fire board, the employees of Copperopolis Fire District and I are committed to providing the best service to the community that is fiscally possible, and although there are always many challenges, I do not foresee any additional staffing shortfalls."
In September 2007 “amid rumors from paramedics of discontent” Chief Dennis Powers stepped down accepting administrative leave six months prior to his set retirement date, his son Toney stepping up as acting Chief.
On January 21, 2011 a CFPD Captain Paramedic resigned, for reasons not yet made public, though a motion was made at the December 9, 2010 Board of Directors meeting to cut the Captain Paramedic position the motion was not passed.
By, Charity Maness
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