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Starke County EMS reports staffing gains; commissioners approve $38,346 narcotics-control system
Summary
An EMS presenter reported small staffing improvements and program activity and won approval to buy a Compex narcotics-control system from restricted opioid funds; the board also approved smaller equipment purchases and donations-funded items discussed in the EMS report.
An EMS representative gave the board an operational update and asked commissioners to approve several equipment expenditures to support medication accountability and day-to-day operations.
The presenter said four of five ambulances were in service, transfers and call volumes were down, and staffing had modest improvements: three part-time EMTs were hired and one full-time paramedic was recently filled. He said the service had applied for multiple FEMA grants and was working with Rural Health Transformation on programs; a recent MIH (Mobile Integrated Health) grant application was denied.
The board approved a request to buy a narcotics-control and tracking system (Compex) for $38,346.83 to meet DEA compliance and restricted-opioid-fund requirements. The presenter described the system as providing a master box and ambulance-level regulatory boxes plus narcotics maintenance logs; commissioners moved, seconded and voiced approval on the record.
Commissioners also approved smaller purchases discussed in the report: a $3,500 used color printer and a $3,550 donation-funded skid unit designed to mount in an off-road Polaris for patient access in difficult terrain. The EMS representative said these purchases would be covered respectively by the present budget and by donations, and noted council approval may be needed for some spending routes.
The EMS presenter said the service will continue pursuing grant opportunities to expand MIH-style community care but cautioned that some grant pools are competitive. The board directed staff to ensure purchases follow procurement rules and to clarify council involvement for restricted funds where appropriate.
Next steps: staff will record the formal purchase orders and report back if any bids, invoices or council approvals change the timeline for equipment delivery.
