NE Champaign County Fire District seeks director

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NORTH LEWISBURG – The Northeast Champaign County Fire District (NECCFD), like many other comparable Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers throughout the country, is dealing with a shortage of EMTs and paramedics on staff. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the NECCFD Board on May 31 agreed to continue with an enrollment campaign aimed at increasing staffing within the district from top to bottom, starting with the recruitment of a director.

Board member (North Lewisburg) Andy Yoder said while the NECCFD doesn’t employ a director, it has employed people in this role in the past, but not to the level the board is seeking this time.

“The next director is going to be more of an administrative-type person that will deal with budgeting and financing, the planning of the district in the future, keeping the board compliant with the Ohio Revised Code, resolution writing, and things of that nature,” he said. “The position won’t be solely fire and EMS stuff. It’s going to be business-related.”

During discussions centered on job requirements for the director position, it was noted the board is seeking a candidate with government budgeting experience who will be working directly with the district’s fiscal officer as well as the fire and EMS chiefs.

While specific job details are be ironed out, the board stated the position could require a monthly time commitment of 20 to 40 hours. Likewise, compensation will depend on a various factors, board Chairperson Cheryl Hollingsworth said.

“Salary will be based upon the person’s experience and qualifications, so it’s open right now,” she added.

As for fire and EMS staff, the board is seeking a full-time firefighter/paramedic following Mitchell Shroyer’s resignation, which took effect May 16. Shroyer is still on staff as a part-time employee, but stated he could no longer work full time due to other professional commitments.

Along with a full-time opening, Interim Operations Manager Sarah Page said, the district needs to fill permanent part-time, part-time and volunteer positions.

To be considered for one of the three openings for permanent part-time, candidates must have a valid paramedic card with the state and a minimum 36-hour volunteer fire card. If hired, the employee would be required to obtain his or her level 1 fire card within a year.

Individuals interested in applying for a part-time position must hold a valid EMT card. A level 1 or level 2 fire card is also preferred, but not required.

Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals with at least a 36-hour fire card.

Any individual interested in applying for employment with the NECCFD can call 937-747-2345 or apply in person at 60 E. Maple St., North Lewisburg.

In other business:

•Page announced the hiring of Alex Wihl and Seth Beedy as part-time firefighters/EMTs.

•The board agreed to pay a yearly fee of $250 to the Champaign County Emergency Services Association as a charter fee for belonging to the Champaign County Hazardous Materials Team.

Fire Chief Mike Penhorwood said the fee will be used to cover costs associated with the hazmat team. He added only two district employees – he and Assistant Chief Sam Wagner – are certified to be on the hazmat squad.

•In an attempt to make electronic documents more accessible to board members, a motion was passed giving Yoder authorization to look into the costs associated with purchasing nine tablets, covers and chargers.

•To ensure the district’s new EMS reporting software through ESO Solutions Inc. is accessible in the field, the board passed a motion allowing Page to spend up to $500 on mobile wifi hotspot equipment for the squad and less than $100 a month for wifi hotspot services.

•Penhorwood informed the board the district has handled 236 runs through May 30, up from 208 during the same period last year.

By Joshua Keeran

[email protected]

Joshua Keeran may be reached at 937-652-1331 (ext. 1774) or on Twitter @UDCKeeran.

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