Boston EMS celebrates new graduations, promotions

Boston EMS, whose union commented on the recent headcount, now counts a few more.

The city celebrated the promotion of 19 EMT recruits and recent promotions of seven lieutenants, five medics, four assistant superintendents and two superintendents.

“Boston EMS represents all of our neighborhoods and the time, training and resources we invest in our graduates always find a way back into our neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu, who attended Monday morning’s graduation and promotion ceremony in an opinion.

The city announced that these promotions over the past four months “represent approximately 300 years of combined experience working with Boston EMS.”

The EMTs are assigned to 911 ambulance and dispatch operations according to administration.

The EMS union, which is part of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, has become increasingly vocal in recent months about what it says is a “catastrophic” staffing level. The union has said 25% of all paramedics have quit in the last eight years as it pushes for pay closer to that of police officers and firefighters.

The union recently said that overcalling is becoming a “common occurrence” for all ambulances.

Our providers are overwhelmed and are being asked to do more with limited resources,” the organization tweeted as it continued contract negotiations.

Wu said no calls were dropped because of this.