EMS chief takes active role in post

CELINA - Kyle Gerlach, appointed the new head of the county emergency medical services department in late August, said he's adjusting well as he familiarizes himself with the agency's operations and personnel.

Previously having worked for a private ambulance service in Darke County, Gerlach of Coldwater took over as EMS director on Sept. 6, replacing Matt Nietfeld, who resigned July 1. He updated county commissioners last week about EMS' direction and proposed budget for next year.

Gerlach said he's gone on runs with Celina, Rockford and Coldwater squads and reactivated the EMS advisory board. He said he's been making himself as available as possible and helping out wherever he can, providing more support to volunteers than they've received in the past.

"I was on 18 runs this month so it's saving us a lot of paying Celina overtime to call people in to assist," he said. "All the squads have been able to get out the door, but when they need (Advanced Life Support) assistance, I've been responding instead of Celina."

Celina Fire Chief Doug Wolters oversees 15 full-time firefighters, who also are certified paramedics. Rockford, St. Henry and Coldwater branches supply volunteer paramedics, intermediates and basic and first responders,

Commissioners Rick Muhlenkamp asked Gerlach if he's picking up some runs while at home in Coldwater.

"Pretty much," Gerlach said. "If I'm home and available, if it sounds where they need help, I've been responding."

"That's good dedication," Muhlenkamp said.

Gerlach pointed to an accident on Veterans Day when two vehicles rolled over. Two squads were called.

"I just went direct. It's easier to have somebody there that's overseeing, making decisions," he said.

Muhlenkamp asked Gerlach what role he plays while on the scene of accident.

Gerlach said it depends on the situation.

"I'll either take the lead or they'll tell me where they want me and I'll go do it," he replied.

Gerlach also said he recently reconvened the EMS advisory board consisting of township trustees and other officials to keep them informed on a regular basis about EMS, its activities and big-ticket item purchases. Gerlach said the board last met 16 months ago. He plans to have members meet quarterly.

Commissioner Jerry Laffin is pleased the board is reconvened.

"They're putting in a pretty good chunk of money," Laffin said.

EMS collects a $2.50 per capita fee from each political subdivision - city, village or township - to support operations.

EMS volunteer numbers at most branches remain steady, but Rockford is seeking another four or five, Gerlach said. He said Rockford Mayor Amy Joseph, who's also on the Rockford EMS board, is leading the charge.

"She will be their president next year so she's really getting involved in trying to get people to help out," Gerlach said.

Gerlach also reviewed plans for next year.

He plans to purchase a new ambulance for the Rockford squad that may arrive in 2018. He earmarked $220,000 in the 2017 budget for the purchase from Horton Emergency Vehicles of Grove City but said it might come in less because of a smaller ambulance box design.

"(That) significantly reduces the cost of the unit, which will be better for the three volunteer branches but will keep in line with what Celina has and what we're trying to do in the future of having a uniform-looking fleet eventually," he said.

Also, Gerlach said EMS still plans to accept a donated ambulance box from Horton to train emergency medical technicians but noted the scope of the project has changed.

Initially, some EMS officials wanted to build a 1,200-square-foot addition onto the northwest corner of its Riley Street office in Celina to house the box and facilitate a patient simulator lab, estimated at $140,000, which was to be garnered through a fundraising campaign.

However, with other large fundraising projects going on locally, Gerlach said the construction project had been nixed. Instead, the ambulance box, expected to arrive in the spring, will be attached to a trailer and transported back and forth to EMS branches as well as other neighboring counties for training, he said.