Washington’s City Council, during its May 11 meeting, modified the city’s educational attainment incentive pay plan to address the provision of paramedic-level emergency medical services.

The change eliminates the 5-percent pay increase for emergency medical technician (intermediate) certification, replacing it with a 5-percent pay increase for initial certification as paramedic for employees who occupy positions assigned to a salary grade at or above for firefighter/paramedic classification. The change took effect May 11.

In February, the city began providing emergency response service at the paramedic level. Because of the advancement in service level, a change to the educational attainment incentive pay plan was needed, according to a memorandum from City Manager Brian Alligood to the mayor and City Council. Alligood recommended the change that affects employees such as fire engineer, fire company officer and fire shift commander at the time they receive their initial paramedic certifications.

Three employees with EMT-I pending and who were hired prior to the change will be grandfathered and become eligible for the 5-percent pay increase upon attaining their initial EMT-I certifications, according to the memorandum.

When the city began providing paramedic level service in February, nine employees were certified at the paramedic level. That number continues to grow as other employees earn EMT-P certifications.

Paramedics provide the highest level of pre-hospital care. The paramedic level of care improves the chances of survival for Washington residents in need of emergency medical care, city officials have said.

The city’s EMTs provide emergency medical services to some areas in Beaufort County that are outside the city limits — areas such as Old Ford, Tranter’s Creek and Cherry Run. Beaufort County pays the city for providing those services.