MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County paramedics and EMTs are calling for new leadership after an overwhelming vote of no confidence in their department chief.
FOX 9 reported the vote follows their investigation into chronic staffing shortages that emergency responders say have strained crews and hurt morale.
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The Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs said more than 70% of its members voted in the no-confidence vote, with 140 of 147 members voting against Chief Marty Scheerer.
The union sent a letter last month to Hennepin Healthcare administrators and county board members calling for Scheerer’s removal. The letter warned that a lack of confidence in leadership could affect retention, system performance and patient care.
FOX 9 reported that Hennepin County EMS has struggled to meet minimum staffing levels, leaving some ambulance shifts understaffed. Scheerer has acknowledged the department sometimes falls below minimum staffing but said the system is built to rely on mutual aid during surges.
Hennepin Healthcare did not directly address Scheerer’s future, but said it is listening to employee concerns and continues to monitor staffing and adjust deployment to provide 24/7 service.
