De Pere looks to keep paramedics through reimbursement program

De Pere Fire Rescue wants to help put emergency medical technicians through paramedic training to retain more paramedics in the city.

The Finance and Personnel Committee on Oct. 14 unanimously approved the creation of a paramedic reimbursement program Oct. 14 to combat a "huge decline" of applicants to the fire department, said De Pere Fire Chief Brett Jansen.

De Pere Fire Rescue is looking to fill three open paramedic positions , according to a job posting. People who get their EMT certification may not continue to a paramedic training program because they can't afford it or are hired as an EMT somewhere, according to the reimbursement program memo .

As a result, Jansen said some area fire departments are starting to reimburse their EMTs who go to paramedic school or are no longer