Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland County confirms interim emergency services leadership as public commenters raise ambulance staffing concerns
Summary
The county board appointed Barbara Scott as interim emergency services director for three months and named John Heinen interim emergency management director through Dec. 31, following public comments from township representatives urging more oversight of emergency services staffing.
The Richland County Board of Supervisors confirmed short-term leadership changes in the county’s emergency services and emergency management operations during its July meeting.
Barbara Scott was appointed emergency services director for a three-month term while the county conducts a permanent hiring process. John Heinen, previously serving as emergency management coordinator, was appointed interim emergency management director through Dec. 31, 2025.
Public comment ahead of the appointments raised concerns about emergency services staffing and communications. Shirley Welty, a Dayton Township resident and the township’s representative on the joint ambulance committee, told the board she was "very concerned about the leadership of emergency services, those staffing levels that, are in staffing challenges that are happening in there." Welty said the joint ambulance committee has been notified of forthcoming changes to the agreement between the county and townships and urged the board to study and help solve those issues.
County Administrator Terry Kalish said the county is exploring options to separate emergency services and emergency management into different organizational structures because “it’s really difficult to find somebody who has a specialty in both emergency management and emergency services.” Kalish noted possibilities include folding emergency management under the sheriff’s department, highway, health & human services, or creating a standalone department; the administrator said these options will be developed for Executive & Finance Committee consideration.
Appointments were moved and seconded on the floor and adopted by voice vote. The board directed staff to proceed with interim coverage while recruitment and structural options continue.
Ending: The interim appointments are intended to maintain operations while county leaders pursue recruitment and consider structural changes for emergency oversight. Any long-term organizational changes will be brought back to Executive & Finance for review.
