[Russ_Boston]

Like any other business in the world, the jobs in the Villages (school, EMT etc) are posted with the salary that is needed to keep the jobs full. Most jobs today do not come with a state or company defined benefit pension plan so that is fading out as time goes on. Many states and cities are drowning from the poorly run and over-generous pensions from their civil service employees. My city in RI went bankrupt (Central Falls - look it up - my dad was a firefighter Captain and I worked there for 7 years during late high school and college) over their firefighter and police pension plans. We've only seen the tip of the iceberg on this subject. Look up pensions in California for example.


I work at TVRH as an RN and yes my pay was low but I took the job for many reasons. Since I started 3 years ago they have made a rather hefty increase in the pay (but still way below averages up north). They did this because we were having trouble getting new staff and they did a competitive market analysis. Now we actually have almost too many nurses on the 1st shift in my department.


I would say that the majority of EMT's that come to the hospital with patients from TV are from Sumter County EMS - not a Villager. I don't think Sumter County EMS are paid by TV. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[kittygilchrist]

fyi...the powers that be...

Public Safety
3035 Morse Boulevard
The Villages, FL 32163

Phone: 352-205-8280
Fax: 352-205-8290
Email Public Safety

Business Hours for Administration:
8am to 5pm, EST
Monday – Friday
Excluding Holidays

[SheilaO]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Mr. Frank

#1. Thank you for not biting your tongue. [it saved a 911 call ;-) ]

#2. Thank you for your service to our society.

#3. Thank you for selecting TV........I am honored you are here and hope to meet you some day.

#4. Thank you for your post.

#5. Like teachers, we owe these Teams our respect and support.

Thank you Mr. F.

I totally agree!

[TraceyMooreRN]

I was told that an EMT/Paramedic with The Villages was making approx. $9.60 an hour. These are the guys/gals who perform CPR, administer life saving medications on scene, assist Fire Department and are with you in the ambulance on the way to the ER. I happen to know many of these men/women.

I was AMAZED at how little this job paid....I know that the pay scale for Florida is much lower than my previous place (Virginia)...but again surprised.

[kittygilchrist]

CF Emergency Medical Services Admission Information

Becoming a paramedic takes a year in Florida. It's a quick jump to a decent income. It's less than a beginning teacher makes, but they're all heroes.

[Bonny]

I have had a very scary 2 months. I thank God every day for the EMT's, everyone on the many ambulances I have had to take, the nurses and medics on the ambulance jet to bring me home from St. Maarten. All my Drs. and everyone at the hospitals that took care of me & still are.
They all deserve every penny they make and then some !!! I could never thank any of them enough !

[Average Guy]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Ya know, this being your first post, and me being an oldie at jobs inside institutions, I'm wondering how an employee could get away with such a post. You may not know that your admins can fire you and your computer can be tracked.
since you put your hard work into getting where you are, I'm decidedly skeptical you would throw it away for a spurious, angry post, but apparently you are in the wrong job or you would think of your position before shooting off.

I'm thinking you're not the kind of man I want on the team when I code, me and my privileged lifestyle. Standing over me feeling sorry for yourself.

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

fyi...the powers that be...

Public Safety
3035 Morse Boulevard
The Villages, FL 32163

Phone: 352-205-8280
Fax: 352-205-8290
Email Public Safety

Business Hours for Administration:
8am to 5pm, EST
Monday – Friday
Excluding Holidays

I am not sure why you posted the contact information, but given that it was 15 minutes after you posted that someone could be fired from their job based on a posting on TOTV, it appears as though you posted so readers could report the poster, villagesff, to his/her superiors. I may or may not agree with what was posted, but it does not seem to me to be something I would report to someone's superiors.

Then you close your post with "Jesus loves me this I know" seems a bit much to me.

[PennBF]

I am happy this is gettting some attention and there may be light at the end of the tunnel to help our Firemen and EMT's. $32,000 a year = $615 a week. These are not retired people they are the young trying to pay the bills and save
your life. They are the ones raising children and trying to have a home with proper insurance and a car. It is a disgrace to reward these wonderful public servants with such a low salary. I personally don't know one of them but see what they do and I want them to be there if we have a medical or fire problem. I hope they get a darn good nights sleep in case they have to come to our aide during the night or during the day. Why not stop by one of the firehouses and just say thanks??

[buggyone]

Just my own personal thought here - I am guessing that the person who wrote the post AS a Villages Fireman IS a "pot stirrer" and is really NOT a Villages Fireman.

I also continue to believe that $42,000 is a good starting salary for a job that requires just a GED or high school education.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Just my own personal thought here - I am guessing that the person who wrote the post AS a Villages Fireman IS a "pot stirrer" and is really NOT a Villages Fireman.

I also continue to believe that $42,000 is a good starting salary for a job that requires just a GED or high school education.

$42,000 for a job in today's economy is NOT a good starting salary. Maybe you're thinking back to when you were working.
There is a LOT of training hours required to become a fire rescue or EMT. NOT just a "GED" as you put it.

[Hancle704]

As a resident who remembers what it was like when the Sumter County section of the Villages was served by the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, I am extremely thankful for the Public Safety department that was formed and has grown since its inception. We are fortunate to have this wonderful group of caring, highly skilled professionals that are second to none. Having said that, I think it might be helpful to consider how many applicants there have been for the jobs that have been created due to expansion. How many individuals have been promoted and I would assume have had their salaries increased since the department started? In our economy over the last 10 years how many have been laid off or felt that they did not have job security?

I think it is fair to also ask, how many are able to work second jobs because of the work schedules they have in the department? Some might think it is unfair that people have to work second jobs, but ask teachers who find summer employment and young couples who are willing to take on additional employment to enable them to save for home and car purchases in this economy. This is not unique to the Fire/EMS profession. Ask the folks who chose to serve in the military what kind of salary they receive.

No doubt there are some areas in the US where police and fire employees can put in their 20, earn substantial salaries and enjoy great pensions with medical benefits. The simple fact is, those kinds of jobs are not here, but are in areas where $500k buys you a small home with some big real estate taxes, second rate schools and real long commute times.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

As a resident who remembers what it was like when the Sumter County section of the Villages was served by the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, I am extremely thankful for the Public Safety department that was formed and has grown since its inception. We are fortunate to have this wonderful group of caring, highly skilled professionals that are second to none. Having said that, I think it might be helpful to consider how many applicants there have been for the jobs that have been created due to expansion. How many individuals have been promoted and I would assume have had their salaries increased since the department started? In our economy over the last 10 years how many have been laid off or felt that they did not have job security?

I think it is fair to also ask, how many are able to work second jobs because of the work schedules they have in the department? Some might think it is unfair that people have to work second jobs, but ask teachers who find summer employment and young couples who are willing to take on additional employment to enable them to save for home and car purchases in this economy. This is not unique to the Fire/EMS profession. Ask the folks who chose to serve in the military what kind of salary they receive.

No doubt there are some areas in the US where police and fire employees can put in their 20, earn substantial salaries and enjoy great pensions with medical benefits. The simple fact is, those kinds of jobs are not here, but are in areas where $500k buys you a small home with some big real estate taxes, second rate schools and real long commute times.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Average Guy

I am not sure why you posted the contact information, but given that it was 15 minutes after you posted that someone could be fired from their job based on a posting on TOTV, it appears as though you posted so readers could report the poster, villagesff, to his/her superiors. I may or may not agree with what was posted, but it does not seem to me to be something I would report to someone's superiors.

Then you close your post with "Jesus loves me this I know" seems a bit much to me.

Jesus loves me" is not part of the post, it's a signature that (I think) used to show up under the avatar. Maybe they've all been moved, if so, I'll change it to avoid confusion.

I did not post the contact information for anyone to report, otherwise I'd have done that myself. Frankly, I hoped to back the individual off from further posts, who is, in fact, endangering his employment by complaining about the lifestyle of the people he serves.

There are things one does not say publicly. Just food for thought, what if he'd said all that slanted toward people who are poor?

[kittygilchrist]

Salary differences in above posts are based on whether EMT or Paramedic
credentials are required...post below is current Marion Co. help wanted ad.
Check those salaries against TV if you like.

What many people don't know is that wages in Florida are very, very low compared to the rest of the world. It is possible to pay off a house and car and live comfortably for two on 30K. I wish everybody made a mint, but salaries are not based on whether what you do may save someone's life, generally speaking, salaries track the time and level of expertise it takes learn to do what you do.
That and budgets, and maintaining staff with competitive salaries.

Firefighter EMT and Firefighter PM Job - Marion County Fire Rescue - Ocala, Florida

Here's a link to Santa Fe college in Gainesville comparing the training programs and potential salaries for different levels of credentialling.
http://www.sfcollege.edu/centers/kir...ction=overview

I appreciate our public safety staff, and I took them cookies a few months ago. What they do is not easy and we need them.

[Bizdoc]

Originally Posted by TraceyMooreRN

I was told that an EMT/Paramedic with The Villages was making approx. $9.60 an hour. These are the guys/gals who perform CPR, administer life saving medications on scene, assist Fire Department and are with you in the ambulance on the way to the ER. I happen to know many of these men/women.

I was AMAZED at how little this job paid....I know that the pay scale for Florida is much lower than my previous place (Virginia)...but again surprised.

Was it for a Villages employee *or* someone with Rural/Metro or one of the other ambulance services? Given that R/M is in financial problems, I would not be surprised at them paying employees very little. Of course, that hasn't lowered the fees that they charge patients.