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Athens County approves EMS termination, adopts tactical‑medic firearms policy pending prosecutor review
Summary
Commissioners approved termination of EMS employee Seth Gooch effective Dec. 17, 2025, and approved an SRT tactical‑medic firearms policy contingent on county prosecutor review; they also directed the prosecutor to send demand letters related to a Tri‑Data vendor dispute with partner counties.
The Athens County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved terminating an EMS employee and advanced policy and vendor‑dispute steps recommended by EMS leadership.
After an executive session, the board voted to terminate employee Seth Gooch, effective Dec. 17, 2025. Assist Chief Randy Crossen briefed the board separately on a proposed firearms policy for tactical paramedics assigned to the county Special Response Team. Commissioners approved the SRT tactical‑medics firearms policy on the condition that the county prosecutor review the policy language and authorized an annual list of personnel who would be authorized to carry under the policy.
Crossen also reported a dispute with Tri‑Data, a records vendor: Athens’ check for legacy storage is being held until Lawrence and Jackson counties remit their shares for shared boxes. The board directed the prosecutor to send demand letters to Lawrence and Jackson counties (cc their commissioners) with a deadline and said Athens would pursue small claims if those counties do not remit their portions.
The motions to terminate the employee, adopt the SRT firearms policy contingent on prosecutor review, and instruct the prosecutor on the Tri‑Data matter passed by roll call.
