A Paramedic Trainee Program is hereby established for the purpose of increasing the number of qualified paramedics available to address normal attrition and planned growth within the Kent County service area.

As part of the annual or supplemental budget approval process, funding may be provided for a specified number of trainees determined by the Levy Court to support a paramedic training program which includes salary, benefits, uniforms, and necessary supplies, required tuition and student fees, and/or special lump sum remuneration in an amount(s) and on a schedule(s) established by Kent County Levy Court. These costs will be shared by the Delaware Office of EMS at the approved funding basis, if eligible. In turn, each student shall agree to serve a minimum of three years as a paramedic with Kent County, or will be required to reimburse the County for its portion of tuition and fees.

At the discretion of the Director of Public Safety in consultation with the Personnel Director, paramedic trainee candidates may be selected from applications received from the public for program participation, or from interested matriculated students already enrolled in an approved paramedic training program offered at a Delaware college or university. The Director of Public Safety and Personnel Director may also choose to enroll a qualified applicant in an approved Paramedic Training Academy/Education program located outside Delaware. Students should be selected following an interview process that includes written, practical, and other approved testing. The student should be Nationally Registered EMT-Basic and/or meet the criteria for entrance into the paramedic training program.

Paramedic trainees shall have a special classification and are only eligible for specifically contracted County benefits during their training period. Upon successful completion of the training period, a trainee(s) may be hired as a regular full-time employee and would be required to complete the normal introductory (probationary) period.

The Director of Public Safety and Personnel Director shall jointly develop appropriate forms and guidelines for the efficient administration of this Policy.

This Policy shall become effective immediately upon adoption by Levy Court.