Hocking County EMS reports record first-quarter runs, seeks staffing and equipment changes

Bobby Platts, newly designated chief of Hocking County EMS, told the commissioners on April 3 that the agency recorded 1,173 runs in the first quarter of 2025 and is on pace to surpass prior annual run totals if the trend continues.

"If we keep up with that pace, we're gonna be doing 4,600 runs by the time he moves out," Platts said, referencing a projected annualized total and comparing it with a 2021 record of 4,373 runs and 2024's total of 4,113 calls for service.

Platts outlined several operational changes and needs: the service proposes a regional medical direction arrangement with a group known as the NEC Regional Council of Governors for medical oversight, quality assurance, shared supply purchasing and protocol updates; he reported fleet maintenance work amid delays in new-ambulance builds; and he described retention challenges driving a review of compensation.

Why it matters: Rising call volume, seasonal nonresident responses and retention pressures influence response capacity, staffing costs and capital planning for ambulances and rescue vehicles.

Medical direction and supplies: Platts said EMS has chosen to pursue a contract with a regional medical director group. "We would like to go with a group of doctors under something called the NEC Regional Regional Council of Governors," he said, adding that the arrangement offers shared supply orders (cost savings), quality assurance, and separate medical directors for general medicine, pediatrics and trauma.

Fleet and equipment: Platts reported five frontline vehicles in service and described a remounted used ambulance that has been converted to a rescue truck. He said three new-build ambulances and one remount are on order but delayed; the remount completion was pushed to August-September with additional delays of six to eight months for the three new builds. To bridge the gap, the agency is sending trucks to Ryker Fleet Services for preventive inspection and repairs and considering stock-build trucks as faster replacements.

Personnel and pay: Platts said the agency continues to have recruitment and retention problems tied to compensation. He has worked with the county auditor, Chris Rovers, on proposals to raise base rates and said unfilled positions in 2023 improved short-term cash flow that might fund raises. Commissioners supported further review; Platts said he will meet with county staff to finalize proposals for presentation to the board.

Training and community education: To offset paramedic shortages, the agency is running an Advanced EMT course with roughly 10 internal trainees. Platts also offered free "stop the bleed" and CPR classes to county departments and residents; certification cards would carry a fee.

Grants and tools: Platts said EMS applied for the South Central Power "Pick It Up" grant to buy a battery-operated combination cutter-spreader (commutool) for roughly $15,000 to equip outstations (Carbon Hill and Marville) and improve extrication response times.

Policy and oversight: Platts said EMS is updating policies and procedures with legal counsel review and plans to bring them to the board for approval. He also asked commissioners to sign a document for the Ohio Division of EMS documenting the change in leadership; commissioners approved and signed the acknowledgment during general business.

Discussion of consolidation: During discussion, Platts said a combined fire/EMS district is a conversation worth having to improve service delivery, but he did not propose an immediate consolidation. "It's probably the right thing to do at some point in time," he said, adding the topic would require more study.

Ending: Commissioners voted to sign the Ohio Division of EMS statement recognizing Platts as director; Platts and county staff will continue work on compensation proposals, fleet maintenance options and training to mitigate staffing shortfalls.