Ada County Paramedics mark 20 years of service for employee, discuss hiring academy and new units

Ada County Paramedics honored paramedic Jacqueline (Jackie) Cole for 20 years of service at a Board of County Emergency Medical Services District meeting on Sept. 2, and department leadership updated the board about hiring and operational plans including a large hiring academy and two planned new response units.

Linda Rosenwinkle and other EMS leaders described Cole’s 20 years with the department, noting she began in the billing office, completed her EMT-Basic certification in February 2012, transitioned to a field provider in early 2013, and has contributed to the mobile flu clinic, COVID vaccination efforts and training programs. Colleagues praised her mentoring and training roles.

EMS leadership told the board the department’s hiring academy is starting and is one of the largest in recent memory, intended to staff two new response units: an ILS (intermediate life support) unit and an additional unit planned to be stationed in Meridian. The department said onboarding for those units is underway and that the second ambulance is in the process of being painted; a public presentation of ambulances is being coordinated by staff.

Department leaders noted their fiftieth anniversary celebration is planned for October and that several command staff will attend a regional fire and EMS chiefs conference in McCall later in the week. No board actions or votes were required for these informational items.

Ending: EMS staff will proceed with the hiring academy and onboarding for planned units; the board recorded the recognition and received the departmental updates.