Ohio Ambulance Service Saved by Unexpected Funds

FRANKLIN, Ohio --

The JEMS or the Joint Emergency Medical Services is an ambulance company the serves 30,000 residents in the Carlisle, Franklin, and Franklin Township. It employs 55 part time E.M.T.'s and Paramedics and a budget crunch would have cut emergency staffing back during the overnight shift.

Jason Faulkner, vice Mayor of Franklin, said, "Between the hours of 11p.m. and 5 a.m., the chief was recommending we take one of the three squads out of service to reduce personnel costs. "

Several residents were asked about the plan, they didn't like it but they said they understand.

Precious Burns, Franklin resident, said, " With all the issues we're having with the economy, I can see where there's a lot of places having to cut back right now. "

Monday night, at a JEMS Board meeting officials announced they now have enough money from Warren County to keep all of the current ambulances staffed, even the overnight shifts.

Jason Faulkner said, "We have received an additional $50,000.00 in tax revenue that was unanticipated after our last meeting. There is sufficient funding to continue staffing the 3rd ambulance. So there will be 3 squads running as they normally do."

If the funds would not have been appropriated, the paramedics would still have responded to emergencies but without an ambulance.

Chief Andy Riddiough, Chief of the Joint Medical Services said, "While you may not have been getting a transport vehicle, you would have a paramedic there who was able to do CPR, start you breathing again, maintain your airway, give you medicines that were beneficial to the patient. "

The ambulance service answers more than thirty-eight hundred calls annually.

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