Local 400 Demands Better Working Conditions

Members of Local 400 Lawrence General Hospital, courtesy of their Facebook page.

EMS professionals with Lawrence General Hospital, members of IAEP Local 400, are sounding the alarm over low staffing levels and unsafe working conditions. 

Despite a legacy of over 30 years of groundbreaking advanced pre-hospital care, Merrimack Health refuses to invest in its 9-1-1 providers. In the face of inadequate radios, insufficient equipment and ambulances in need of significant repairs, these local heroes have provided  lifesaving services no other department in the state is allowed or able to give.

Now, they are saying enough is enough. 

“The reputation of the working conditions of this department deters the professionals Lawrence needs in this 9-1-1 system from even applying,” said IAEP National Director Phil Petit. “Lawrence General Hospital can and must provide a better workplace that honors the legacy and top-notch pre-hospital care this EMS department provides to the communities they serve. They deserve investment now.”

The IAEP is demanding that Lawrence General Hospital leadership provides a plan for replacing unsafe and inoperable equipment, as well as real steps to making the workplace safer for the first responders that offer these lifesaving services. 

Local 400 members provide medication assisted intubation and whole blood services to their patients, a specialty in the area.

"LGH Paramedics do both, and no other ground based service in Massachusetts or in New England does both," said Local 400 President David Gentile.

The IAEP is also requesting support from the local community; those who wish to voice their support for Local 400 should click here to load a pre-drafted email to the President of Merrimack Health. It’s critical that she knows the patients her health system cares demand better. 

Together we can achieve the investment and support of Merrimack Health for the patients this EMS department proudly serves.