Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes hiring two full-time paramedics will alleviate some of the staffing concerns for the county ambulance service. The council on Monday approved his request to hire two people for full-time positions. Continue reading
A house fire last week in Knox appears to have been set deliberately. That’s according to an investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Continue reading
The Starke County EMS rig based at Grovertown is having more mechanical problems. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners Monday night the truck is not shifting into first or second gear. He’s not sure if the problem is electrical or is in the transmission. Continue reading
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh is still looking for paramedics to cover shifts at the county’s three bases. His goal is to have paramedics on staff around the clock, seven days a week. Doing so allows the county to provide Advance Life Support service. Continue reading
The Starke County EMS ambulance based at Grovertown is down for repairs again. The county just spent $17,000 to have Jim Dobson Ford in Winamac install a new diesel motor in the 2009 Ford. EMS Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners last night it was back on the road for two days when an oil leak was spotted. It was traced to a leaky valve cover and was repaired at no charge under the warranty. Continue reading
A North Judson man faces drunk driving charges following a Saturday night car crash. It happened around 7:40 p.m. on Talmer Ave. at Ono Drive, according to the North Judson Police Department. Continue reading
Starke County EMS has saved more money than originally anticipated through a change of oxygen vendors. They switched from South Bend-based Praxair to Plymouth-based American Gas and Welding for tank rentals and refills last April. American Gas and Welding charges considerably less for the same product. Their delivery costs are also lower. Continue reading
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes to have the 2009 Ford ambulance based at Grovertown back on the road next week. The diesel rig is at Jim Dobson Ford in Winamac getting a new motor installed. Continue reading
Starke County EMS is still a truck short due to extensive mechanical problems with the 2009 Ford ambulance based at Grovertown. The county council previously decided to repair the rig rather than spend upwards of $100,000 on a new one. Continue reading
Starke County EMS ambulances are now equipped to help the county’s four-legged law enforcement officers as well as civilian animals. The county ambulance service recently got a grant from Invisible Fence for free pet oxygen masks. Continue reading
A Knox man was airlifted to a South Bend hospital after being struck by a car last night in front of the BP Station on U.S. 35. Knox Police Chief Harold Smith says the crash happened just after 7:30 p.m. Continue reading
Starke County EMS is now equipped to treat the county’s officer dogs. Director Keith Emigh says his staff went through training recently to provide care to the sheriff’s office K9s should they be wounded in the line of duty. Continue reading
The recent purchase of jackets for full-time Starke County EMS employees who work “consistent monthly hours” has raised some eyebrows. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners Monday the coats have reflective safety strips on them and incorporate the new logo patch recently designed for the service. He adds they are the property of the service and will need to be returned if an employee quits or is fired. Continue reading
The Starke County Council wants input from the commissioners before proceeding with the purchase of a new ambulance. EMS Director Keith Emigh is looking to replace the 2009 Ford truck based at Grovertown due to extensive mechanical issues. Continue reading
Starke County EMS has been paying retail diesel fuel prices for the past several weeks due to a problem with the pump at the county highway garage. They haven’t been able to use it due to an issue with the system that keeps track of which fuel goes to which account for billing purposes. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are recommending the county council increase the emergency medical services director’s salary by $4,000. That would bump Keith Emigh’s annual pay to $45,000, pending council approval. Continue reading
Starke County EMS has taken in considerably more money to date than this time last year. From January through the end of August the service reported an increase in revenue of $53,000. Continue reading
Pre-hospital emergency care remains the first priority for Starke County EMS, but it is not their only charge. The Starke County Commissioners reaffirmed that mission statement during their meeting Monday night. A recent Facebook posting about a lack of available county ambulance service due to transfers between facilities prompted the discussion. Continue reading
Starke County EMS is still looking for EMTs and paramedics. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners this week his goal is to have all three bases adequately staffed in order to offer county-wide Advance Life Support Service around the clock, seven days a week. Continue reading
Starke County EMS needs new billing software to replace an obsolete program. However, the software package the state recommends costs quite a bit of money to purchase and maintain. Continue reading
