Wake County gives EMS coronavirus pay

Wake County changed its policy after a 5 On Your Side Investigation of temporary pay increases tied to the pandemic.

In early April, Wake County EMS workers reached out saying they weren't receiving a coronavirus related bump in pay, like other county employees.

5 On Your Side started asking questions.

While Wake's "Emergency Situation Pay Policy" covered more than 250 people from nearly all departments ... it didn't include EMS and sheriff's deputies.

At the time, Wake County spokeswoman Amanda Perry said those already in "emergency response" roles, such as EMS and sheriff's deputies, are not eligible because they're "performing their normal duties."

After our report, county leaders discussed and changed the policy.

The new "temporary COVID Allowance Pay" includes quote "field staff" like EMS and sheriff's deputies.

Perry says the new policy also includes "field staff" with Board of Elections, CCBI, Community Services – Inspections, Development Plans and Permits Division, Fire and Emergency Management, Housing, and Soil and Water."

The temporary 5 percent increase is retroactive to April 16th.

We reached out to the head of Wake County EMS.

Jeff Hammerstein told us staff has done an exception job with some challenging adaptations "and this is certainly welcome news."