To the editor:

Recently, the Bristol Fire Department advertised both in the Phoenix and on the town website seeking to hire an EMS Coordinator for the department, and while I applaud the town for hiring more individuals to address the critical shortage of personnel, especially within the rescue squad, I could not help noticing the embarrassingly low pay of $58,000 per year for the position.

The individual who the department hopes to hire for this position will be required to possess numerous licenses, certifications, have extensive experience prior to being hired, and will be responsible for supervising and training multiple employees. I don't know how much research the town did when coming up with a proposed salary for the EMS Coordinator, but individuals with the same qualifications, experience and responsibilities in multiple fire departments in our region are easily being paid twice what the town is offering for this position. In addition, entry level recruits at many other fire departments in our area are being paid a starting salary at or above what the town is offering for this supervisory position, and in most municipalities the fire department hires them without much more than a high school diploma and then educates and trains them at the expense of the municipality after they have been hired.

It's no secret that the town of Bristol has always been very frugal when it comes to municipal employee salaries, but for this important position, the compensation being offered is so far below the standard that it's almost laughable, and I strongly doubt that anyone who possesses the qualifications that the fire department is seeking would consider applying for this position. Unfortunately, this is a perfect example of the town being "penny wise and dollar foolish".

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.