First full-time EMTs hired for countywide emergency plan

Volunteers and members of Seneca County's EMS squads met with county commissioners and Emergency Services Director Ken Majors via Zoom last week to further discuss a proposal for Seneca County to adopt a countywide EMS plan and hire full-time or part-time personnel to assist the districts. Emergency Services Director Ken Majors informed the meeting attendees that two full time people have been hired. An EMT and an advanced EMT were hired and are working and training to become a 12-hour crew for four days each week. "We are working toward collaborative training with the Sheriff's Office and are working on updated equipment for EMS dispatch," Majors said. Discussion continued Thursday night, including updates from EMS squad leaders and the potential to use funds from the $10.7 million in American Rescue Plan money that the county is set to receive. The first squad to provide an update was Attica-Venice-Reed EMS. "Attica-Venice-Reed has unanimously agreed to merge with Bloomville-Scipio," Lynn Love from Attica-Venice-Reed EMS said. Jeff Larick of Bloomville-Scipio spoke next about his excitement for the merger. "I'm looking forward to getting better service to both areas," Larick said. Bill Frankart spoke as a representative for Pleasant Township, Adams Township and Green Springs. "We are currently in negotiations with North Central EMS and the commissioners to figure out how to proceed," Frankart said. Pleasant and Adams Townships and Green Springs currently use a private EMS service but are considering their options at this time. Commissioner Mike Kerschner began the discussion of American Rescue Plan funds. The parameters of how the money is to be used is unknown at this time, but Kerschner wanted to discuss how the money can be used if allowed. "EMS and police coverage are our main priorities in Seneca County," Kerschner said. He said that, if allowed, some of the funds could be used for a couple full-time stations to house EMTs. "Four stations across the county is where we would like to end up," said Kerschner. Near the end of the meeting, Majors brought up the concern that the countywide EMS plan involves getting rid of volunteers. "I have no intention of getting rid of volunteers. We will always need them." The next meeting will take place May 6 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.