Halifax Fire Chief Gains Approval for New Paramedic-Only Position to Address Critical Staffing Crisis
Voted Town Administrator Candidate Withdraws
HALIFAX - August 26 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the creation of a new paramedic-only position on August 26, responding to Fire Chief Michael Witham's urgent plea to address severe staffing shortages that have left the department struggling to maintain adequate emergency response coverage. The position, paying up to $30 per hour at the chief's discretion, represents a significant departure from Halifax's traditional hiring practices as the department faces recruitment challenges that have plagued fire services regionwide.
The Full Story
Fire Chief Michael Witham outlined a dire staffing situation that has reached crisis levels, with the department unable to fill critical positions despite ongoing recruitment efforts. The chief explained that traditional hiring methods have failed, with recent hires leaving within 24 hours for better-paying positions in neighboring communities. "For the last few years when we just sponsored people, we don't have the funding to pay them. So now I'm going to ask somebody to give up six months of their life and 240 hours of training or more, 270 hours with everything for $0. There's not a lot of people interested in doing it," the Chief told the Selectmen.
The new paramedic-only position represents an innovative approach to staffing challenges. Unlike traditional firefighter-paramedics, these employees would be certified only as paramedics, limiting their duties to ambulance operations, patient care, and station maintenance. They cannot enter burning buildings, operate fire pumps, or perform other firefighting functions requiring Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications.
Witham presented several options to address staffing needs, including sign-on bonuses and hiring paramedics with the commitment to send them through fire academy training. However, the paramedic-only position emerged as the most immediately viable solution. Current paramedic pay stands at $26 per hour, but the new position allows rates up to $30 per hour based on experience.
Chair Jonathan Selig expressed concerns about the financial implications, noting the town faces a challenging budget year ahead. "My one fear is that we agree to dedicate and allocate extra funds, but then get into a point next year where we're really, really strapped," Selig said. The Chief assured the board he would absorb costs within his existing budget initially, acknowledging that when funds run out, service levels may need adjustment.
The staffing crisis has operational consequences beyond recruitment. The department currently maintains three-person crews, but when the ambulance responds to calls, only one member remains at the station. This creates dangerous gaps in coverage, forcing reliance on mutual aid from neighboring communities at a significant financial cost. Last year, Halifax had 90 mutual aid runs, representing approximately $234,000 in lost billing revenue.
Witham emphasized that mutual aid response times average 20-25 minutes compared to Halifax's in-house response time of 6-7 minutes. "You're in need of medical assistance. Emergency, right? That's a long, long time," he noted, highlighting the public safety implications of current staffing levels.
The board also addressed traffic safety concerns, unanimously approving a recommendation from the Traffic Safety Committee to establish a heavy commercial vehicle exclusion zone on Old Plymouth Street west of Elm Street. This action completes a traffic study initiated in 2006 but never implemented. The restriction will prohibit heavy commercial vehicles from using the residential street as a cut-through, with enforcement authority granted to Halifax Police.
In other business, the board approved a three-year contract with Regional Old Colony Communication Center, the regional dispatch service. The contract increases costs from $200,000 in the first year to $205,000 in year two and $210,000 in year three. Finance Committee member Frank Johnston questioned whether radio equipment upgrades were included, learning that such improvements depend on grant funding availability.
The search for a permanent Town Administrator suffered a setback when finalist Blair Crane withdrew his candidacy without explanation just before contract negotiations were scheduled to begin. Interim Town Administrator Bob Fennessy will continue in his interim role while the board determines next steps with their search consultant.
The board approved several routine appointments, including reappointment of the Halifax Fireworks Committee members and election workers for terms extending into 2026 and 2028 respectively. They also authorized the Beautification Committee's request to use the town green for a fall cleanup event scheduled for October 4-5, 2025.
Why It Matters
The paramedic-only position directly impacts Halifax residents' emergency response times and quality of care. With call volumes increasing due to the new urgent care facility and upcoming senior housing development, adequate staffing becomes even more critical. The financial strain of mutual aid reliance not only costs the town revenue but potentially delays emergency response when neighboring communities are simultaneously busy with their own calls.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Create paramedic-only position with compensation up to $30/hour at Fire Chief's discretion. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 31:08)
Motion: Approve heavy commercial vehicle exclusion zone on Old Plymouth Street west of Elm Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 37:22)
Motion: Approve three-year contract with Regional Old Colony Communication Center ($200,000, $205,000, $210,000). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 43:49)
Motion: Reappoint Halifax Fireworks Committee members through August 31, 2028. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 49:10)
Motion: Approve Beautification Committee use of town green October 4-5, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 46:14)
Public Comment
Several residents addressed the board, including Mike from Paradise Lane who noted increased emergency call volume from new developments and the urgent care facility, supporting the fire department's staffing request. Chris Winiewicz requested similar heavy commercial vehicle restrictions for Circuit and Laurel Streets. Frank Johnston from Finance Committee questioned dispatch contract costs and fire department budget implications.
What's Next
Joint meeting with Finance Committee scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 PM via Zoom to discuss Rod Hemingway's appointment to Finance Committee. Town Administrator search process will resume when consultant Bernie Lynch returns from vacation. Fire Chief Witham will work with Finance Committee liaison Frank Johnston to develop detailed job description and compensation structure for the new paramedic position.
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