FAYETTE COUNTY EMS TO LAUNCH A NEW VOLUNTEER PARAMEDIC PROGRAM

  

Fayette County is in the process of launching a new volunteer paramedic program after their director presented the idea to the Commissioners Court last week.

Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever made the request after being approached by two different individuals asking if they could volunteer as paramedics.

The first person has been an attorney for the Texas Department of Transportation’s contract division in Austin, and has been a licensed paramedic for 15 years.  He has been volunteering as a paramedic for an EMS Department in Houston, but is getting tired of the commute.

The other is a Bryan firefighter, who had also asked about volunteering as a paramedic for the EMS.

Vandever said that there is no current policy in place for accepting volunteer paramedics.

While, the volunteers would not get paid, Vandever did recommend that they be able to get workers compensation insurance just in case someone gets hurt on the job.

According to the Fayette County Auditor’s Office, the coverage would cost the County $95 per year per volunteer.

The Commissioners unanimously approved the request. They also instructed the County Attorney’s office to draft a volunteer agreement contract that will be presented for approval at their next meeting.