KENT COUNTY, Del. — Kent County officials are considering scaling back enhanced sign-on bonuses for paramedics after staffing levels improved across the county’s EMS system.
The proposal comes less than a year after county leaders approved larger recruitment incentives to address a critical paramedic shortage, WBOC reported.
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At the time, the Division of Emergency Medical Services had 12 full-time paramedic vacancies and was preparing to open two new EMS stations, raising concerns about staffing and operational readiness.
Since then, county officials said aggressive recruitment, retention efforts and a growing paramedic trainee program have helped improve staffing. Officials said those gains are especially important as communities such as Milford continue to grow and increase demand for emergency services.
Kent County doubled paramedic sign-on bonuses in 2025 to address staffing shortages, offering up to $10,000 for experienced paramedics, compared to $5,000 previously. Officials said the program helped add six authorized paramedic positions, fully staff two new EMS stations and reduce vacancies from 12 to five.
Officials also credited the county’s paramedic trainee program and partnership with Delaware Technical Community College for building a pipeline of future EMS workers. Deputy Chief Justin Conrad said the county’s recruitment strategy went beyond financial incentives.
If approved, the proposal would restore the county’s paramedic sign-on bonus program to its previous structure on July 1. Officials said the change reflects improved staffing levels while preserving incentives to recruit future paramedics.
Sign-on bonuses may help fill vacancies, but what do you think keeps paramedics at an agency long term?
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