By Leila Merrill
ATHENS, Ohio — Employees of Athens County Emergency Medical Services who worked full-time during the pandemic will receive $2,500 bonuses.
Athens County Commissioners met with representatives from IAFF Local 5126 on Tuesday and signed off on the agreement, the Athens Messenger reported.
American Rescue Plan funds will go toward the bonuses.
Paramedic Steve Pallo said EMS providers have felt underappreciated but the bonuses will help.
“It’s been a brutal two and a half years,” he said.
Commissioner Chris Chmeil apologized for the timing of the bonuses and said the county is applying for another grant that could go toward more EMS bonuses.