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"At this point in time, we do not have any plans to put an EMS in Claypool," said Cindy Dobbins, Multi-Township EMS director. "We have no funds budgeted for such a thing and, of course, they have their own service."
Dobbins was responding to a letter to the editor that appeared in the May 6 Times- Union. The letter, written by Virginia Stephens, volunteer for the Silver Lake-based South Central Kosciusko EMS Inc., claimed MTEMS was planning to place an EMS unit in Claypool and use the SCKEMS as "first responders."
A first responder EMT is first to arrive on the scene and is able to perform first aid and use a defibrillator. They cannot, however, transport a patient to a hospital.
Sheila Hodges, Wayne Township trustee, said there was a building in Claypool that could house the EMS unit, but "no action has been taken." She also said that just because there was a building available, it was a "far cry from putting someone in there."
The countywide EMS system currently being considered by the Kosciusko County commissioners could be the origin of the rumor. Dobbins said MTEMS had hopes that "at some time" something could be worked out through the countywide system. She said that if anything were planned in the future it would be a cooperative effort between MTEMS and SCKEMS.
SCKEMS has five volunteer EMTs, 19 drivers and nine other employees. Stephens would like to see that increase considerably.
"We're always accepting applications," she said.
The all-volunteer service is now holding classes on Mondays for EMT training. The classes cost $400, which SCKEMS has offered help with, and take 125 hours of training.
Eight people are being trained and two more may be interested. This will help SCKEMS, but will not take effect for another four months when the trainees become certified. Until that time, the service is understaffed.
