La. halts EMS hazard pay

The committee didn't vote on the proposal, and simply put it on hold without any action amid concerns about the price tag

The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — The Senate’s budget committee has stalled a proposal that would give Emergency Medical Service workers the same monthly supplement that local law enforcement officers and firefighters receive from the state.

Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would add full-time EMS workers to the list to receive a $500 monthly paycheck from the state on top of their local salaries.

Expert Analysis

EMS providers deserve the same hazard pay as fire, police

As a long time EMS provider, I’ve been frustrated by the relative lack of recognition we receive from our lawmakers.

The fact that Louisiana legislators failed to even vote on a proposal to give EMS workers the same $500 monthly supplement that law enforcement officers and firefighters receive as hazard pay from the state shows they fail to understand the role EMS providers play in the public safety net.

Senate Bill 285 doesn’t even authorize the financial resources; it merely allows the proposed amendment to go before voters later this year.

New Orleans considers hazard pay for EMS

The proposal (Senate Bill 285) would cost at least $3.7 million a year and likely more, depending on how many EMS workers qualified, according to legislative fiscal analysts.

“This sends a message to EMS that we hold them as a priority,” Morrell told the Senate Finance Committee.

The committee didn’t vote on the proposal, but simply held it without action Monday amid concerns about the price tag.