Starke County Commissioners Receive Update from EMS Staff

The Starke County EMS staff is learning how to use their new software.

EMS Director Travis Clary told the commissioners this week that they met with Health EMS officials on Friday to go over the new report writing software. The new software will allow the office to report required statistics to the state. The previous software was no longer compliant in this capacity.

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Starke County Community Foundation Impact Grant Utilized to Help Save Lives

SCCF Director of Development Sarah Origer Hands Check over to Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary

A recent impact grant awarded by the Starke County Community Foundation is helping local emergency personnel save lives.

Starke County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) used the $14,350 they received from the SCCF to purchase a LUCAS CPR Device, and paid for one year of maintenance for the medical apparatus. The technology performs non-stop CPR, freeing the EMS responder to treat and transport the patient to the emergency room. Continue reading

Starke County EMS Collaborates with School Officials in Preparation for Football Season

Photo Source: Starke County EMS FB Page

As the start of the school year approaches and sports practices will soon be underway,  local medical professionals have been coordinating with school officials to help them prepare for the upcoming summer soccer and  football season.

This week on social media, Starke County EMS representatives shared that they recently spoke with the athletic trainers from Knox and LaPorte Schools about transferring an injured athlete from the trainers care to EMS crews. Continue reading

Indiana State Police Investigate Death of Starke County Woman

The Indiana State Police are currently conducting an investigation into the death of 36-year-old Tiffany Witham, of Knox.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and EMS were called to a local residence around 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 24th. Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer reported that he arrived at there around 2:30 a.m. and Witham was pronounced deceased at the scene. Continue reading

One Occupant Sustains Injuries After 2-Vehicle Crash on 300 E and 250 N

One person was transported to the hospital for injuries, following a two-vehicle crash in Starke County on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Starke County Central Dispatch Center, a pick-up truck and passenger car collided at the intersection of 250 N and 300 E. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department, the Knox Fire Department and Starke County EMS responded to the scene. Continue reading

Starke County EMS Director Requests ALS Non-Transport Vehicle

Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary wants to turn his new-to-him department vehicle into an Advanced Life Support non-transport vehicle.

He explained to the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that he recently acquired a retired squad car from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office with less miles and less issues. He said he’d like to certify the vehicle through the state as an ALS non-transport vehicle. Continue reading

Starke County EMS Trying New Dispatch Program, Researching Grants

The Starke County EMS staff is trying out a new program that acts as a live radio streaming device, according to EMS Director Travis Clary.

“Basically, this turns your smartphone or any other thing into a live radio streaming device,” said Clary. “It’s great for off-duty members, especially with a size like ours with mainly part-time people. They can hear the call live. It’s pretty neat and again it’s just a trial thing. We’re just seeing how it works with our IT Department.”

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Starke County EMS Department Working on Heating Issue at Ambulance Base

The Starke County EMS Department is working to get the heat installed at the Grovertown EMS base.

EMS Director Travis Clary told the Starke County Commissioners last week that some parts were needed to install a ceiling-mounted heater at the base. The heater was purchased as an emergency need at the end of 2017 as medications were freezing while the ambulance was parked in the unheated garage. Clary noted that the heater was to be installed last week.

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Starke County Council to Review EMS Staffing in 2018

The Starke County Council members will be looking at costs concerning full-time EMS staff and what the county is paying in overtime.

Starke County EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will be putting together some figures for the council members in 2018 to compare what the county is paying in overtime versus hiring two more full-time paramedics for adequate coverage.

Director Travis Clary is still looking for part-time paramedics for the department, but it continues to be a challenge, as it is in all counties. Clary said there is no incentive for part-time staff to work so the full-time staff members usually pick up all of the holidays and most of the unfilled shifts.

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Ambulance Transfers Gain in Numbers

Starke County EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie informed the commissioners Monday night that the number of ambulance transfers is increasing.

She said the number of transfers in November was at 16 percent which is up from seven percent the month before, but not where they were earlier this year. Basic Life Service transfers from the area nursing homes have increased where the EMS department had not been getting those calls.

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