FROM GEORGIA TREND MAGAZINE:
Each year, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Georgia Trend Magazine present the County Excellence Awards and one of this year’s winners is Dawson County Emergency Services. The awards recognize communities that develop “innovative solutions” to help address challenges.
Dawson County Emergency Services (DCEMS) is one of six winners this year and was picked for the way county officials reacted to a high number of vacancies in the department and the program developed that resulted in a fully staffed department within a year’s time.
In 2024, DCEMS faced a 35% vacancy rate among certified paramedics and firefighter/EMTs. At one point, the department had more than two dozen vacancies.
“It had gotten really, really alarming,” says Dawson County Manager Joey Leverette. The county was losing emergency medical personnel not only to burnout, but to better pay and better hours at nearby doctor’s offices and hospitals.
“After we went through COVID-19, a lot of people said, ‘I’m not doing this anymore,’” says Leverette.
At the same time, demand was rising. From July 2023 to July 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Dawson County the nation’s fastest-growing county with a population of 20,000 or more – up 6.4% to a total of 33,748.
To address the shortage, Leverette proposed a training program. Drawing on his experience with a utility in Florida, Dawson County adapted an operator training incentive model to fit emergency services, he says.
Launched in the summer of 2024, the Dawson County Emergency Services Career Advancement Through Training Program combines in-person, online and on-the-job field training under direct supervision. The program includes a five-year track for firefighter 1/EMT-B positions, a four-year track for firefighter/paramedics and a one-year leadership program for lieutenants. As participants progress, they reach higher pay grades. Upon completion of the program, the employee’s pay increases by just over 20%.
Last September, Dawson County Firefighter and EMT Patrick Meyer completed the CATT program’s lieutenant leadership course. In February, he was promoted to captain.
“The course worked exactly as intended. I feel confident in my ability to lead and make decisions because of it,” says Meyer, who has been with Dawson County nearly eight years. Meyer also completed a rope rescue course and is eyeing “a long list” of courses he plans to take.
“Job satisfaction and morale in the department have increased dramatically since the program launched,” says Dawson County Fire Chief and EMA Director Troy Leist. “The department is fully staffed and has been for more than a year.”
The Dawson County Board of Commissioners approved funding of roughly $340,000 to establish the training program, with ongoing costs estimated at $90,000 annually, according to Leverette.
“The CATT program has been transformative,” he says. “We’ve upskilled our workforce, and we’re delivering a better product to our community.”
Other award winners this year are Columbus-Muscogee, Fayette, Walker, Floyd and Glynn counties.