The Starke County EMS personnel roster is getting a facelift.
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary informed the commissioners on Monday night that he recently hired three basic EMTs and a paramedic. Clary was promoted to director in July which left his paramedic job open. Clary conducted other interviews this week to fill other part-time paramedic positions within the department.
Following a CPR training class at the highway department, Clary mentioned that he and Rik Ritzler discussed Automated External Defibrillators. Ritlzer expressed interest in purchasing one for his department, but Clary said he had one that he gave Ritzler to satisfy the request. It’s an older model but is in working order. Three others are available for departments who may want them.
Clary added the ambulance repair issues continue to plague the EMS staff. The newest ambulance is experiencing an issue with a system to that is required on diesel vehicles for cleaner air.
“We continue to have ambulance repairs,” said Clary. “Ambulances continue to be in and out of service. Last week we were down to no spare ambulances again. The newest truck is out right now. It had to be sent to Chevy. That one has about 30,000 miles on it. We’re being told that it could cost quite a bit but we’re hoping everything’s under warranty.”
The county council will review the EMS budget when they meet later this month.
