The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department is starting a program to recruit more paramedics amid a national shortage.
KCKFD Assistant Fire Chief Morris Letcher told 41 Action News the department is short about 20 paramedics right now.
"Firefighting is more than just firefighing," Letcher said. "We're an EMS-based service, so we have to keep up with the times."
The application is extensive and open to any EMTs who are willing to relocate to Wyandotte County within 12 months and want to take the next step to become a paramedic.
KCKFD will reimburse paramedic courses up to $5,000, participants will be paid $2,300 a month while in school and they are guaranteed a job after graduation, assuming they pass the state certification test.
KCKFD said the goal is to ease the financial stress that comes with paramedic school and be proactive to address a shortage in the department.