The Greentown Grapevine – 2004-06, 11:06

              Volume 11, Issue 6 ' hpuper for the people" June 2004
Local Fire and Ambulance Agencies Join Forces
The Greentown Volunteer Fire
Company and Eastern Howard
Eqergency Service have announced a
merger, to become effective in the
month of June, 2004. The
organizational structure will be with a
Chief of Greentown Volunteer Fire
Company and two Assistant Chiefs,
one for medical business and one for
fire business. Each Assistant Chief
will see to management of his
organization and report to the Fire
Council Approves
Personnel
Changes in U
Wastewater Dept.
In a special meeting of the
Greentown Town Council on May 20,
2004, the resignation of William Ross,
Wastewater Superintendent, was
accepted. The Council voted to
increase the salary of Steve Rule,
Laborer, by $ 1,000 per year. This
increase will be paid out of
wastewater department funds. Bryan
Klein, a certified Plant Operator, was
hired as a contract worker. He has 17
years service with Kokomo
Wastewater Dept. and is a Class I1
Operator. He will be performing
duties required to be done by a
licensed operator, such as supervising
all necessary sampling and
documentation, and the completion of
the required reports.
The Council also hired Ryan Bright
as part time summer help.
Steve Rule
Chief. Currently these positions are
held by Vince Jaenicke, Chief; Todd
Haynes Asst. Chief of Medical; and
Sam Coate, Asst. Chief of Fire.
Jaenicke stated that the new structure
will enable the consolidation of some
duties such as treasurer and will
provide better communication between
the two sub- organizations. He said the
merger is " in the best interest of the
community." He said most fire and
ambulance services in the state are
combined.
Jaenicke further stated that many
people have assumed that the two
services were combined from the
beginning, partly because they both
used the fire station as headquarters.
The Volunteer Fire Company was
Moor, who has been involved with the
fire company and local funeral Photo by Rachel Jenkins
directors, it wasn't until the early
1970' s that an ambulance service was Technicians. There is a serious need for EMTs,
begun. Funeral Director, Gene Pickett, The fourth and most important Driver/ lst Responders, and
started having EMT classes and used a option was initiated by Tony Monize Firefighters. If you are interested in
funeral coach as an ambulance. A training officer of EHES. Tony any of these positions or know
separate volunteer ambulance service recruited local community members someone who would make a good
was begun in the late 1970' s. and business leaders in the roll of an volunteer call the Fire Station at
A shortage of funds and volunteers advisory board to assist the ambulance 628- 7750 and leave a message.
have kept E ~ frSom providing service in a Strategy that would Todd Haynes, Asst. Chief Medical,
continuous coverage to the community. increase the availability of the local would like to thank two community
Members of both agencies got together ambulance. The advisory board churches Sycamore Friends and New
and discussed many options. One of analyzed current and past business data Salem Friends that sent money for the
the first options was for the Fire and suggested to the EHES purchase a new defibrillator for use on
Company to provide drivers. In the fall membership that they join together heart attack Patients. The money was
of 2003 EHES President Todd Haynes with the Fire Company. Elected pooled with money from the Fire
along with EMT's Bonnie Coate, and officials of EHES discussed the matter Company to Purchase a new ZOLL
Jan White taught a medical 1 st with the Fire Company officers and the automatic external defibrillator. The
Responder course for firefighters who majority agreed that to serve the new ZOLL AED utilizes the new
were interested in driving the community more efficiently a BI- phasic power use technology that
ambulance. Brad Bray, Howard combining of resources would requires less power to revive a patient
County Coroner, served as primary expedite the recovery to 24 hour a day in cardiac'arrest.
instructor. Captain Mike Lucke, Randy 7 days a week medical coverage. The
Kennedy, and Jim McKibben merging of equipment and personnel
successfully completed the state was a difficult decision to make for
certified course. both agencies. The medical personnel
The second option was the Fire were accustomed to operating under
Company applied for and received a their own command styucture. The fire
grant for $ 4,000 dollars to equip a fire personnel have little experience with
truck with life saving medical providing medical administration. One
equipment. This is to supplement the thing that draws both groups together
ambulance when in service and is the common goal of serving the
provide basic life support when the community in which they live.
ambulance is busy or out of service. The Greentown Vol. Fire Company
The Fire Company went to option would like to take this opportunity to
3 firefighters to attend EMT training. who have an interest in joining the
Sam Coate are all certified by the State district as volunteer Firefighters and
of Indiana as Emergency Medical Emergency Medical Responders.
formed in 1944. According to Dick Todd Haynes, Assistant Chief of Medical; Vince Jaenicke, Chief;
and Sam Coate, Assistant Chief of Fire.
HOWARD
CouNTY
4- H FAIR
three and provided training money for solicit fkom the community, persons
Scott Comfort, Gregg Hensler, and men and women who serve our fire