A national issue is playing out in the Elm City. New Haven is working on recruiting more paramedics to cover shifts as medical calls continue to increase.

While the city is in active recruitment, filling shifts is a challenge and continues to be expensive.

Recruitment is active and the fire chief notes, they are hiring.

The department is at a 10-year staffing low, according to Chief John Alston. They are seeking to fill about 56 vacancies.

“We are in an active recruitment mode to try and staff those positions,” Alston said.

The biggest strain, according to the department, is on