Crews from the Gulf being brought in to help local agency respond to 911 calls

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake Emergency Medical Services crews are being taxed by long hours brought on by a severe staffing shortage.

The county has launched a paid training program, added sign-on bonuses and increased pay to try to attract and retain employees.

Channel 9 reported last month that the agency had 56 vacancies.

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Lake EMS director Jerry Smith said the agency is now down to 41 openings, with six new hires soon beginning work.

He said he is grateful to have more employees, but COVID-19 has stressed the system.

“We have folks (who) are both sick and being isolated (when) we’re experiencing historical call volume,” Smith said.

Daily call volume has increased by 30% to 40% compared with last year.

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Lake County Fire Rescue had been helping out the agency, but it was not enough.

Crews from the city of North Port and Sarasota County have also been brought in to assist Lake EMS under the state’s emergency response plan, the same plan implemented during hurricanes or other emergencies.

“An area gets impacted and their resources are depleted, and so we asked for help from around the state,” Smith said.

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The outside crews assist their Lake County counterparts for at least two weeks, and more crews can be added if available.

Smith said the reinforcements ensure that shifts get covered and crews get adequate rest.

“They’re on the coast, so maybe someday we’ll need to return the favor (after) a hurricane,” he said.

Lake EMS said residents should continue to call the agency if they are sick or injured, but they ask that people arrange for their own transportation to hospitals for minor issues because of the recent high call volume.

VIDEO: Lake County Emergency Medical Services offering incentives, paid training to fill openings Lake County is dealing with a severe shortage of Emergency Medical Services employees (Charles Frazier, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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