Care/Yellow owned by Louisville transportation co.
I have worked at Care for over 7 years; almost 2 since Yellow bought us out. (December 1st 2005). In fact Epi-do and I were partners at the time. or the buyout.
Yes they worked us harder; we went from 50-60 amb runs a day, with a record of 74 to that point to a average of 100 runs a day, with a record of 123.
we also went from 10 trucks on day shift; 1-2 ALS, the rest BLS; and 2 trucks on nights 1 ALS, 1 BLS: to 25 on days, 5-8 ALS; and 5-7 at night, 1-2 ALS.
we went over about 1 yr time from 12 trucks with an avg of 250,000 miles on them to 30 trucks with an avg of less than 100,000 miles on them. we have 7 trucks right now with less than 10,000 miles on them. We are still getting 1-2 new trucks a month; with 1 old truck being replaced ; and growing the fleet with new ones.
Newer equipment: we had 3 Lifepack 10's now we have 10 Lifepack 12's with SPO2, and auto BP. all Stryker cots, new ALS and BLS bags.
our pay has increased over $1.25 hr to start for basics, and $2.25 hr for medics starting pay. Don't quote me for sure, but basics start at $9.00 when they used to start at $7.50 or $7.75, medics start at $14.50 when it used to be $12.25.
Better insurance, 401k (we never had any type of retirement before).
I don't know about the making you do the job applications and probation, but have heard it may have to do with your union: checked out your website and saw that you have to join a union to work for your old company.
As Epi-do stated, we have had alot of people leave. We had people quit at the beginning cause they heard that they were going to get rid of bad workers. They didn't do that at all, in fact it was 120 days before they disciplined anyone for attendance or anything else.
They ignored what was in employee files about problems and let everyone start with a clean slate, including attendance. So anyone that was on the bubble of being terminated under Care was given a fresh start.
We went froim approx 60 employees to over 125 now. 1-2 medic trucks a day to 7-8.
About 6-7 weeks ago; LTC bought a small service out that is approx 50 miles west and 20 miles south of Indy in Jamestown IN, called Southwest Ambulance Service. It is being run from Care in Indy, changed the name to Care,
they went from 2 trucks days, and 1 night, all EMT-A to 4-6 trucks days, 2 nights; ALS, Advanced and BLS.
They went from 5-8 runs in 24hours to 20-25 in 24 hours in very short amount of time.
good luck, and keep us posted