A committee set up to select a new EMS Director made their recommendation last night at the Starke County Commissioner’s meeting. Paul Mathewson was selected to take over the duties most recently held by Lisa Burger. The Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation.
One qualification that Mathewson had was that he is a professionally trained Paramedic. He has most recently been employed by Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.
Mathewson told WKVI News what excited him about this opportunity.
“I’m probably most excited about the initial things – responsibility, leadership, commitment,” he said. “Those are three things that I’ve lived by and that I started my career on. I truly believe that to follow up with all the responsibility that comes with it is going to be a great challenge. I’m excited to go to work right away and making some solutions.”
Commissioner Kathy Norem, who has worked hard to move the ambulance service here to Advanced Life Service, challenged Mathewson to have the Starke County EMS up to that status by the first of the year. We asked the new Director if he thinks that can be accomplished.
“We have everything in place right now,” Mathewson replied. “We currently have a schedule set and put in motion with meetings where we will meet with the Hospital to sponsor with us. We’re currently working with the deal with that. I’m excited to start negotiations and get back to work on making this final.”
Mathewson is a 2006 High School graduate of Coldwater, Ohio High School. He also attended the University of Toledo for one year.
