Staff writers
A dilemma was waiting to unfold for new county EMS interim director Ed Debesis when he signed on Thursday:
Re-certifications for about a dozen EMS personnel were hung up in Topeka, and wouldn’t be updated by the time their certifications expired New Year’s Eve.
“I got a phone call from one of the techs saying they were inactive with the board,” Debesis said. “Everything was at the board of EMS office; they just didn’t get it processed in time.”
Others would have to cover holiday weekend schedules for personnel with inactive certifications who couldn’t go on calls. Uncertain whether or not paperwork problems would make personnel inactive, Debesis chose to be cautious.
“I made the decision on Thursday to take them off of the schedule until I talked to the board of EMS,” he said. “They essentially weren’t inactive, but I didn’t take the chance. As far as I understood, we got it covered. It went without a flaw.”
Debesis contacted the state EMS office Monday, and certification renewals were completed the same day.
Commissioners met with Debesis behind closed doors Thursday, minus chairman Dan Holub. to negotiate a work agreement,
Afterward, commissioners announced that Debesis would be paid $25 an hour during a 30-day trial, and could work no more than 40 hours a week.
He also will be reimbursed expenses for driving to and from his home city of Beloit, and will be available to answer questions local crews have.
Commissioners will review the position Feb. 1 to see if any adjustments need to be made to the position.
The county selected Debesis to fill the position temporarily after former director Brandy McCarty resigned in November.
“I’m just excited to get in and start evaluating the system, seeing where we’re at and seeing where we can go,” Debesis said.
Dallke welcomed Debesis to the position.
“It’s a new year here in a few hours, and we’re looking forward to it and looking forward to having you,” Dallke said. “So please bring problems to us. We want to work with you.”
In other business Thursday:
- A fuel bid of $7,591.50 from Cardie Oil, Inc. was approved.
- December’s sales tax was $60,993.72, and jail tax was $53,226.54.