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Spencer County approves EMS hire, new medical director and repairs amid certification changes
Summary
Spencer County Fiscal Court approved hiring an EMT, a one-year professional services contract with UofL Health for a board-certified medical director, and repairs and recertification for EMS vehicles and equipment after state certification changes and vehicle failures raised operational concerns.
Spencer County Fiscal Court on Oct. 16 approved the county's hire of a full-time EMT and a one-year contract with UofL Health to serve as the county's EMS medical director, while also authorizing repair work on an ambulance and an AutoPulse CPR device.
The court voted to hire Tiffany Williams as a full-time EMT at $15 per hour, contingent on hiring requirements, after EMS Chief Chris Limpp said the hire would bring Spencer County EMS to full staffing. "Approval recommended," Limpp told the court when he introduced the vacancy and recommended the starting pay.
The court also approved a professional services agreement with UofL Health to provide a board-certified medical director, identified in the contract as Dr. Aaron Kuzel, under terms that include a minimum monthly fee and malpractice coverage. "After an exhaustive search and interviewing, we have decided on Aaron Kuzel who is affiliated with UofL Health," Limpp said, noting recent regulation changes require a board-certified director or equivalent training.
Limpp told the court the new director was necessary to maintain on-board medications and compliance with Kentucky EMS rules; the contract is a renewable one-year agreement and specifies a minimum fee of $1,400 per month and a 30-day termination clause.
The court also considered equipment and vehicle maintenance. A Shelbyville service invoice for a Ford ambulance totaled $4,668.91 for air-conditioning repairs and diagnostic work; Limpp and Judge Scott Travis discussed a $1,339.88 overage beyond original estimates and said Judge Travis would contact the repair shop to discuss the extra charges. The court approved payment of the invoice by voice vote.
Separately, the court approved a $2,239 repair and recertification estimate to refurbish a ZOLL AutoPulse CPR platform rather than replace it; Limpp said the device is a refurbished unit 7'8 years old and repairs were more cost-effective than replacement.
The approvals leave the county EMS with a contracted, board-certified medical director, a newly approved EMT hire, and repaired equipment that officials said are necessary to maintain service and regulatory compliance. The contract requires UofL Health to provide services as described in an attached exhibit and includes standard confidentiality and termination provisions. The court approved the hire and contracts by voice votes, with Magistrate Esq. Cotton recorded as absent.
