LETTER: Questioning Mat-Su EMS hiring practices

To the editor:

I am having a hard time understanding the hiring practices at for EMS services. Where does a second generation Alaskan get in line for a job at Mat-Su? So far three in upper management who have retired from other jobs in other states are the first choice. They sit around and decide who they want out, even if the people have been there for years. Then the paramedics are demoted to EMTS. then fired when it suits the retired group. Now a paramedic student is being told when they graduate from Mat-Su school they will not be getting a job in Mat-Su EMS. I’m sure Human Resources has been pulling their hair out. Why are the office jobs given out to older retired people who are paramedics? They are taken out of the field and there is a critical shortage, so the overtime must be out of sight. People who have volunteered for years can’t get jobs in the system. When there are in house jobs posted? They don’t want someone from in-house to have a job so they go out of state. Print a list of all the jobs that have been taken away from people working. Then see who got them. I would think this would be illegal. So much for educated Alaskans trying to get jobs.

— Carol Burgasser

Rainier, Wash.