EMS providers recognized at same time countywide affiliation is established

Is there no better time to establish a countywide EMS affiliation than during National Emergency Medical Services Week?

Supervisors officially recognized EMS providers in a proclamation the same day local agencies agreed to a countywide EMS affiliation. Jamey Robinson, director of Jasper County Emergency Management Agency, told Newton News how important the affiliation is for agencies and the people they serve.

“Getting the EMS affiliation established is a big step forward for the county,” he said. “It brings consistency, improved coordination and better access to resources for all agencies involved. Most importantly, it strengthens the emergency care we’re able to provide our residents.”

Establishing a countywide EMS affiliation has been a goal of Robinson’s ever since he was hired on to lead Jasper County EMA. In February, he received the greenlight from supervisors, who invested the necessary startup funds to pay for a medical director position to handle administrative duties and the like.

Dr. Matthew Ferguson has since been recruited to serve as medical director.

National EMS Week is observed May 18-24. According to the proclamation, Jasper County recognized EMS professionals for providing critical, life-saving care to residents and for responding to emergencies with skill, compassion and unwavering commitment. Robinson noted the proclamation means a lot.

“This isn’t just a document you guys are signing to recognize this week, I think the board of supervisors in Jasper County has done a phenomenal job of supporting our local EMS services with the money that you’ve given us to start working on some of this affiliation stuff and building the EMS system,” he said.

Early on when the county launched its ALS program, some believed the county was trying to take over jurisdictions of volunteer agencies. There was a lot of resentment. But Robinson said discussions about the countywide EMS affiliation have all been positive.

“This isn’t about the county wanting to take over an EMS system,” Robinson said to supervisors. “It’s wanting to support and build the system across Jasper County, so I want to thank you guys for that. I want to make people aware this isn’t just signing a piece of paper … You are supporting this all the way around.”

Steve Ashing, deputy director of Jasper County EMA, said local EMS agencies met the night of May 20 to acknowledge whether they want to join the affiliation. Already, funds have been used to finance a protocol app for all first responders to use. Ashing said the app is being tested at the moment to see if issues pop up.

“Kind of a big step tonight,” Ashing said of the EMS affiliation sign-in meeting. “…The way we understand it right now is we have 100 percent participation. The proof is in the signatures, so we’ll find out for sure tonight. For all indications we have so far, it’s going to be 100 percent. So we’re pretty excited about that.”

Robinson confirmed with Newton News that the affiliation was established pending council approval from Newton.