Commissioners OK cadet program for EMS

Tracy Jones, EMS director, and Ian Godfrey, EMS paramedic and instructor, presented information on the cadet program that they would like to revive. Godfrey stated that the program is a “blast from the past.”

In fact, Mike DeShong, who had gone through the cadet program, is now retiring from EMS. He started as a cadet, then a part-time employee, and eventually became a full-time employee. Britt Burgmeier, the county 911 director, also went through the cadet program. The program would be run by Godfrey and former cadet program director, Danny DeShong.

Godfrey stated that the cadet program is a growing trend throughout the nation with several in Indiana. In the state, teenagers as young as 13 are allowed to go through the program. They can be certified at age 14 and are able to do things such as take vital signs, administer oxygen, help provide life saving measures, provide care when the heart is stopped, and in traumatic situations. “They have a similar scope of practice as an EMT,” said Godfrey.

“We truly believe this will prepare these young men and women for their very prosperous future,” continued Godfrey. “Adding that right now we are at a time where young men and women having direction in life could not be more crucial.”

The commissioners asked Lucas if she had inquired about insurance for the cadet program. She told the commissioners that the insurance company recommended the students did not enter homes with one of the main concerns being students using social media at a scene. The commissioners agreed that any student should not take their phones to the scene of any call. Another concern of the commissioners was a student going to an accident scene and being traumatized by something they saw.

After voicing concerns and speaking with both Godfrey and Jones, the program was approved with stipulations. Godfrey stated that he had attempted to contact Dustin Roller, principal at Jennings County High School, about getting the program into the curriculum, but had not heard back. Godfrey stated that he would not want any more than 10 or 15 students in the program, and they would be carefully screened before being accepted.

“I’m OK with the office portion of the program, but I want you to be very, very careful with what calls you take a student to,” stated Matt Sporleder, president of the county commissioners. “I wouldn’t even take them to a very serious traffic accident,” he said.

Roy Herr, owner of the property on E CR 425N, was in attendance to ask the commissioners for a definite answer for the prospective buyer of his property, Chris Bartels, to move the road. Again, the commissioners stated that they have not seen any plans or drawings for the proposed property, moving the road or drawings of homes.

Herr stated that Bartels didn’t want to put any more money into the property unless he was the owner. The commissioners stated that the drawing could be a rough sketch, that Bartels could hand-draw it.

Sporleder gave his word that if Bartels, Herr, and Marie Shepherd, Area Plan Commission director, attend the next meeting, with plans, the commissioners would give a definitive answer. “He can’t ask for us to move this road when he doesn’t even own the property,” said commissioner Shane Boswell. “Whoever owns the property has to be the one that asks.”

Shepherd, who was watching the meeting, stated, “There were no plans. He (Bartels) just had a letter of what he was wanting to do. He wanted to move the road about 140 feet, if I’m remembering right, and he wouldn’t have to go through the area plan board if he’s just building a house or two. My conversation with him was that he wasn’t intending at all to build a subdivision, just a few houses,” said Shepherd. “The last conversation I had with him (Bartels) is that he wasn’t buying it, but maybe Roy (Herr) knows something different.” “We can’t approve something if we don’t have set plans,” Sporleder.

“We’ve never been in a mess like this before,” concluded Boswell.

The quote for the new animal control building came in over budget. Estimated cost was $608,025 for a building 60x100x16 with 6,000 sq. ft. of concrete. According to the commissioners, it was at least $100,000 over budget. The commissioners realize the current ventilation system needs serious upgrading. “They asked me if I wanted to proceed with that,” said Sporleder. “I thought the last meeting we had with the council is that they were wanting to add on or remodel,” said Boswell.

Sporleder added, “Do we want to set a limit that we’re willing to spend? I’ll tell you right now, I’m a big fat ‘no’ on $600,000 on an animal control building. I know we have to do something because of the air quality in the building for the health and safety of the workers and the animals. But this is not the environment where we spend $600,000.”

Commissioner Charlie St. John asked, “Are you wanting to just say that we’ll give them this much money?”

Sporleder answered with, “Look at a project, not to exceed this amount of money. Bring us options. This is the amount of money we’re looking at spending whether you build a new section or remodel what you have.”

Commissioner Shane Boswell ended the conversation with, “I’d like some plans for an add on or a remodel.” The commissioners agreed to tell animal control representatives that they needed to come up with another plan.