By Laura French
SCAPPOOSE, Ore. — The employment of two Oregon paramedics is in jeopardy after a plan was unveiled to replace them with dual-role employees.
The single-role paramedics were issued layoff notices by Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District Chief Dennis Hoke, who presented his plan at a city board meeting Thursday, according to KGW8.
Hoke’s plan would replace single-role paramedic positions with firefighter-paramedic positions, and have the dual-role staff members work 24-hour shifts instead of 12-hour shifts.
However, the board showed opposition to the plan and rescinded the layoff notices, essentially leaving the two employees in limbo pending further negotiations with the Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union.
“I’ve never been in one of these moments so it’s an uneasy feeling, uncharted territory,” said Paramedic Amy Quinn, one of the two employees whose jobs are in question.
A union representative called the situation “unprecedented.”
The chief and union have set a goal to come to an agreement within 90 days. If an agreement can is not reached, the chief’s original plan for the layoffs may go into effect.
Quinn said about the potential to lose her job, “It hurts your heartstrings and makes your stomach ache.”