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Adams County approves two part-time EMS hires and advances EMA funds amid FEMA delay
Summary
The board hired two part-time EMS staff, approved an executive session on personnel matters, and advanced $10,071.43 to EMA because FEMA payments were delayed; officials also discussed snow-removal support for EMS stations.
The Adams County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 15, 2025 approved two part-time hires for Emergency Medical Services and authorized a temporary cash advance to the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) while FEMA reimbursements are delayed.
The board approved hiring Megan Fuson as a part-time Basic EMT at $16.00 per hour (Resolution No. 2025-520) and Zachary Booth as a part-time Paramedic at $19.00 per hour (Resolution No. 2025-521). Both hires were recommended by Adams County EMS Chief Dusty McCleese and were recorded with unanimous roll-call votes.
At the EMS chief’s request the board entered executive session to discuss certain personnel matters (discipline) under Ohio Revised Code procedures (Res. 2025-522) and later reconvened. After reconvening the board placed a call to County Engineer Lee Pertuset to ask about snow removal at EMS stations; Pertuset said his crew could clear station areas if already working nearby but cautioned heavy trucks could damage parking lots.
EMA representatives Karen Sapp and Tom Peterson told the board FEMA grant payments have been delayed following the government shutdown earlier in the year and requested a cash advance of $10,071.43 for operations; the board approved the advance with the understanding the funds will be returned when FEMA pays. Karen Sapp also advised the board that EMA had "10 bariatric cots now available." The advance is recorded in the minutes as a cash advance from County General to EMA (Res. 2025-519).
What’s next: hires take effect Dec. 15, 2025, as recorded in the minutes; the EMA advance will be repaid when federal funds arrive. The board also discussed short-term options for snow clearance at EMS stations, subject to county engineer capacity and equipment constraints.
