Calls Mount To Increase BVI Emt Wages
Former lawmaker Shereen Flax-Charles has called the $16-an-hour wage for Emergency Medical Technicians a tragedy, warning that low pay and fatigue jeopardize patient safety. Her remarks follow recent ambulance service disruptions at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital caused by staff shortages. Health Minister Vincent Wheatley acknowledged the pay disparity and pledged that the government will address the issue soon.
Former At-Large Representative Shereen Flax-Charles has strongly criticized the compensation structure for the Territory's emergency medical personnel, describing the current wage of $16 per hour for qualified Emergency Medical Technicians as a tragedy that demands immediate government intervention.
Speaking at a recent community meeting held on Virgin Gorda, Flax-Charles stressed that the remuneration does not reflect the immense responsibility placed on emergency responders who save lives daily. She pointed out that undercompensating such vital workers undermines the healthcare system and demoralizes dedicated frontline staff across the Virgin Islands.
The former lawmaker also raised serious concerns about the exhausting hours endured by emergency crews. With some EMTs working shifts as long as 16 hours due to staffing pressures, she warned that extreme fatigue could have catastrophic consequences for patient care. She argued that just like airline pilots and boat captains, emergency medical personnel require proper rest and reasonable schedules to avoid dangerous errors during critical medical calls.
Her comments follow recent service disruptions at the Dr. A shortage of available medical personnel, compounded by sudden illnesses among staff, temporarily crippled EMS operations and compromised ambulance response times. The disruption was severe enough that the Road Town Fire Department had to be mobilized to assist with emergency dispatch until evening and night EMS shifts could be restored.
Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley acknowledged the severity of the situation, confirming that EMS personnel rank among the lowest-paid employees in the public healthcare system. Wheatley noted that the territory is actively losing qualified technicians to other public sectors offering higher pay, including His Majesty's Prison Service.
Although Minister Wheatley pledged that the administration intends to correct the wage disparity soon, he did not provide a definitive timeline or outline specific details regarding the proposed salary adjustments.
Primary source: BVI Platinum