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Commissioners proclaim EMS Week; county officials highlight strong EMS response and training programs
Summary
Pike County commissioners adopted Resolution 25-19 designating May 18–24 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Director of Public Safety Tim Timmer and local organizers described system improvements, training initiatives, a fundraising program and near‑5,000 EMS calls so far this year.
Pike County commissioners on May 21 adopted Resolution 25-19, declaring May 18–24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week in recognition of the county’s emergency medical services providers.
Tim Timmer, Pike County director of public safety, told commissioners the county’s EMS system has improved markedly since a prior period of strain. “We’ve already answered 4,990 EMS calls in Pike County this year,” Timmer said, adding that the county’s redesigned system has reduced delays and improved dispatch and coverage. He credited coordinated municipal support, the commissioners and local businesses for stabilizing and expanding EMS coverage.
Timmer and other speakers described several changes that officials say have boosted reliability: increased paid staffing at some agencies so ambulances can be on the street immediately rather than waiting for volunteers to respond from home; expansion of advanced EMT capabilities; ongoing training programs with a high pass rate for recent classes; and partnerships with regional hospitals for clinical ride‑along experiences. Timmer said a recent EMT class posted nine out of 10 passing the certification exam, which he noted is above the state average.
Jason, a volunteer organizer for the county’s EMS fundraising effort, described a second annual charity golf tournament that raised roughly the same net as last year’s $15,000 fund contribution; organizers expected a final tally to be available at a later meeting. Funds from that effort support training, EMT course fees and CPR/first-aid classes. Commissioners also discussed the Hike County Initiative Training Fund, which pays training costs so trainees are not required to cover the bulk of tuition—Timmer said the per‑student training cost is about $1,050 and the fund subsidizes that amount for participants.
Commissioners praised the work of volunteers and staff, and several said they want to explore similar support mechanisms for volunteer fire departments. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
