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Stark County commissioners press for air-quality tests after EMS base staff report mold; temporary housing proposed
Summary
County EMS managers told commissioners multiple staff refused to work at the Grovertown base because of black mold and freezing damage; staff proposed a temporary 90‑day travel-trailer solution (warranty option ~$19,000) while ambulances are repaired. Commissioners ordered air-quality testing before committing to purchases.
Speaker 3, the EMS operations presenter, told the Stark County Board of Commissioners that personnel have reported black mold and frozen walls at the Grovertown base and that “four crew members absolutely refused to work down there anymore.” The report said buildings are showing moisture intrusion around vents and windows and that the facility needs renovations; one ambulance (Medic 1) is out of service with major mechanical failures and two ambulances are currently sidelined for repairs.
To keep crews available and safe, Speaker 3 proposed acquiring a 90‑day travel trailer to house staff while the base is repaired. Speaker 3 said the vendor negotiated a price that initially fell to $15,000 but with an extended warranty would approach about $19,000, and asked the board to consider allowing the purchase now so crews could be moved out of the allegedly contaminated building.
Commissioners responded that they want prompt testing and verification before approving a temporary housing purchase. Speaker 1 said, “We haven't had anybody come check it,” and urged staff to confirm what contaminant is present and whether it poses an airborne hazard. Speaker 2 recommended quick testing options — ranging from overnight consumer kits to a local remediation contractor that has done asbestos and air testing — and offered to identify a vendor who could perform professional cold‑testing.
The board approved moving forward with air‑quality testing for all affected facilities and asked staff to return with the results before deciding on the trailer purchase. Speaker 6 committed to follow up directly with staff if testing returns levels that require immediate action. No formal purchase motion for the trailer was made at the meeting; commissioners emphasized a preference to verify the nature and severity of the contamination before spending county funds.
Why it matters: The county's EMS readiness depends on staffing and available vehicles. Commissioners framed the agenda item as an urgent workplace‑safety and operational‑resilience question: if a base is unsafe for crews, the county must find a short‑term solution so that ambulance coverage and response times are not compromised.
Next steps: County staff will schedule professional air‑quality testing and report back to the commissioners with the results and recommended interim housing options. If testing shows the building is uninhabitable, the board indicated it would convene quickly to consider temporary housing or a relocation plan.
