Expansion of Ohio County EMS Hours Sought
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WHEELING -- West Liberty Fire Chief Bob Fowler told Ohio County commissioners Wednesday the county's ambulance and emergency services need to be available 24 hours a day.
The Ohio County EMS began operation in January 2020 with the charge of backing up paramedics with volunteer fire departments during the day when help was most needed. County paramedics are on duty each day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
But Fowler said the need is greater as it becomes harder to get volunteers to respond during nighttime hours.
Fowler said just within the last week, he and a second volunteer paramedic were the only ones to respond to a call where they had to provide life-sustaining services and needed additional help. Calls went out for more West Liberty volunteers, as well as to two other departments before more help came.
He said if the county EMS had been on duty "they would have been there to support us."
Fowler said he has been a volunteer since 1971.
"It's very hard -- especially at nighttime -- to get volunteers out," he said. "I don't want to disregard the volunteers. We need the volunteers, but we also need a little support for night turn."
Some local volunteer fire departments had not been totally on board with the startup of the County EMS. Members expressed at the time the county crews might compete with them for calls, and the needed revenue that results from their billing insurance companies.
"I think the (County EMS) support on night turn is a win-win for everyone," Fowler said. "In my opinion and the department's opinion, it has been on the day turn."
Commission President Randy Wharton said the commission would really need all the volunteer departments to come together on the idea before the county could expand its EMS hours.
"There are a couple of chiefs against, but I believe the majority are for this," Fowler said. "I think it could be done so it is a win-win for everyone.
"We all need a part in the process, but I also think those against it need to look at the reality."
Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo said he believes the majority of the fire chiefs are in favor of expanding the EMS hours. He also reminded the commissioners the original intent of the County EMS was to provide advanced life support when needed.
He estimated there are now only eight paramedics among the volunteer fire department crews.
"It is a life-or-death service we have to provide to our residents in Ohio County," Vargo said. "It is vital … we need paramedics 24 hours a day."
Vargo was asked by the commissioners what the cost might be to expand the service. He told them he could work with the scheduling, and probably two additional paramedics would have to be hired by the county.
Ohio County presently is paying five full-time paramedics to serve with the EMS, as well as another five part-time paramedics. The county's EMS is housed at the county garage behind the Power Center area at The Highlands.
Fowler told commissioners the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department is working with West Liberty University to perhaps start a four-year fire service degree program there, and the thought is that some of these students could help support the department while at the school.
The commissioners next meet at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the City-County Building.