HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Fire/EMS has received approval from the city to create three new captain positions that will be fully funded by state dollars while facilitating internal promotions.
Fire Chief Steve Futrell told councilmembers during the Dec. 11 special called meeting that newly passed House Bill 152 adds additional funding to ambulance services that are ran by local governments via teh Medicaid supplemental payment program. He explained that the additional revenue for the department will be around $550,000 to $800,000 a year and will cover the salary for the new positions. This number is based off their run volume for Medicaid patients.
The new positions are titled Emergency Medical Services Captain and are described as a mid-level supervisory positions responsible for the technical, operational, and administrative leadership of the Hopkinsville Fire Department’s EMS Division. Futrell said that three current employees will receive promotions to fill the jobs. New hires will be brought in to fill their vacant job with EMS.
Although the bill has been signed by Gov. Any Beshear and will become law at the beginning of 2026, Futrell does not know when the department will be able to receive funds. To prepare, Futrell was seeking approval ahead of time to begin the process of filling the positions, with funds to be reimbursed once the ball gets rolling with Medicaid.
City CFO Melissa Clayton added that this will require the council to amend the city’s budget to add the money to the departmental budget and the incoming revenue. The city council approved the creation of the new positions, and the pay classification plan for the jobs starting at $65,000 per year.
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