Two full-time EMTs hired
Staff writer
Two full-time emergency medical technicians have been hired for Marion County.
Kevin Marler, who has been working as a volunteer out of Hillsboro, and Matt Williams, who has been working out of Florence, were selected from among seven applicants.
EMS director Ed Debesis said the pair were his choice after interviews were conducted with assistance from two Dickenson County EMS officials.
Debesis asked county commissioners Monday whether they would help pay for students to study for EMT and paramedic certification.
Luke Steele, a college student who takes calls with the Marion crew is applying for a state grant to attend paramedic training. Debesis said the grant would cover all but $2,677 of Steele’s expenses.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wanted to know how long Steele would remain with the county if the county decided to help with the expense. He also wanted to know how many calls Steele had responded to in the past two years.
Helping with the expenses “kind of sets a policy,” and he wants to be consistent, Dallke said.
Commissioner Dan Holub said certification was expensive and perhaps the county should help them out.
Dallke said any assistance package would likely be made available to all county volunteers.