After more than 12 years leading Allen County EMS through departmental restructuring, staffing shortages, rising costs and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, EMS Director Michael Burnett has stepped away from the position he held since January 2013.
Burnett announced during last week’s Allen County Commission meeting he would leave to become EMS director in Crawford County. Commissioners approved the appointment of Iola Fire Chief Corey Isbell as interim EMS director while the county searches for a permanent replacement. Burnett’s final day was Monday.
For Burnett, the decision was not one made lightly. During a lengthy interview reflecting on his career, he repeatedly returned to the people he worked alongside and the relationships formed over more than a decade in Allen County.
“This isn’t really a career I want to leave,” he said. “I love being here with the people I work with.”
Burnett took over Allen County EMS during a period of major transition. Negotiations to merge city and county EMS operations began in December 2013, shortly after he assumed leadership. The merger officially took effect at the start of 2014.
“My biggest goal was to provide the best services we could and save tax dollars,” Burnett said.
The merger created new logistical and administrative challenges, but Burnett said improving the department’s equipment and resources remained a priority throughout his tenure.
He pointed to the grants secured as one of the accomplishments he is most proud of.
“Securing the grants was helpful to buy better ambulance cots and better equipment,” he said.
DURING Burnett’s career the EMS field itself has changed dramatically — particularly when it comes to staffing.
Recruiting paramedics has become one of the greatest challenges facing ambulance services nationwide.
“It used to be that you could put ads out and get all kinds of applications,” he said. “Now, you put an ad out and you can’t find paramedics.”
Burnett believes the shortage reflects a growing decline in interest in the profession. Through his work on college advisory boards for paramedic programs, he has seen enrollment numbers steadily shrink.
“I used to sit on Coffeyville’s advisory board and they used to have 100 people a year in paramedic school,” Burnett said. “Now they have 10.”
Even among those currently entering paramedic programs, many are already employed by ambulance services sponsoring their education.
“The problem is that they already work for a service that’s sending them,” he said. “It’s not actually adding more paramedics that are up for grabs.”
