EMS to seek bids for office computer
Surprise state inspection results in minor infractions
Emergency Medical Service Director Darryl Thiesen requested and received permission to seek bids to replace an outdated office computer.
Thiesen said that the printer does not function and the computer system is old.
"The computer does not network with the other computers," said Thiesen. "The disc drive only runs occasionally." Thiesen added that it was "dragging down his abilities" to perform his job.
He was instructed by the commission to seek bids.
Thiesen presented the department's December report to the commission.
In the report, Thiesen said that the state board conducted a service inspection. The department passed the protocol inspection with need for improvement.
The state also inspected the Marion ambulance and found some minor infractions, including an outdated fire extinguisher.
Thiesen discovered that fire extinguishers were outdated in all of the ambulances and is in the process of having them serviced.
"I'm happy that we had the inspection," said Thiesen. "I'm not happy with the results but am happy with the assistance I received from the state."
Thiesen said he has invited the inspector to return in six months to inspect all of the county's ambulances.
In the written report, there were 72 ambulance calls in December: Hillsboro, 35; Marion, 21; Peabody, 12; and Tampa, four.
There were 22 medical emergencies, 12 transfers, 12 "stand bys," seven vehicle accidents, two falls, and five others that required the rescue truck. Nine calls resulted in the patient not wanting to be transferred.
Fourteen first responder calls were noted: Goessel, six; Burns, five; and Lincolnville, Durham, and Ramona had one each.
Thiesen said that scholarship money has been provided to the department from the cities of Marion and Goessel. The money will be used for local EMS volunteers to receive certification for EMT-I, an advanced emergency medical technician.
The class will be held in Hutchinson and is limited to 20 students. Thiesen asked and received permission from the commission to attend the class at a cost of $430.
There will be six Marion County EMS personnel attending the classes.
Department software is being sought by Thiesen. He will continue to seek information and cost estimates.
Thiesen is still searching for a training officer II and instructor/coordinator for the classes.
The defibrillator still needs to be placed in Ramona, he added.
