January 16, the entire ambulance staff in Fairfield resigned following the termination of their base manager. The eight individuals consisted of four paramedics and four EMT’s.

CARE Ambulance, who has a contract with the Jefferson County Ambulance Service Agency, has worked to continue their service for Fairfield by sending outside staff to cover the area. Director of Operations, Chris Bodenstadt, spoke to KCII about the approximately 20 employees helping out. “We’ve been filling those shifts with other employees who usually work at other bases, and seasonal employees who we usually only have working in the summertime when we do events.”

Despite the sudden changes, Bodenstadt expressed his confidence in the individuals who have been filling shifts. “These are experienced providers,” he said. “Most of these people have 10-15 years experience, most of which have significantly more experience than the people they were replacing in Fairfield.”

“We’re doing everything we can to get the shifts filled with full-time people to make sure they have the coverage they need,” Bodenstadt continued. Nine months remain in the three-year contract between CARE Ambulance and the Jefferson County Ambulance Service Agency.