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Sheriff warns of longer 9‑1‑1 response times; council approves two full‑time EMT hires
Summary
Defiance County Sheriff Doug Engel told the Hicksville Village Council that 9‑1‑1 call recovery times in the west end have risen from about one hour to as many as three, citing the Community Memorial hospital closure; council approved hiring two full‑time EMTs to bolster local response.
The Hicksville Village Council heard an urgent warning about emergency‑response strain on Nov. 4 as Defiance County Sheriff Doug Engel described longer 9‑1‑1 call recovery times and urged local action. Engel said the west‑end area’s call recovery time has increased “from 1 hour to as many as 3 hours” since the Community Memorial hospital closed and that mutual aid and available volunteers are stretched thin. “We have ‘kicked the can down the road’ long enough,” he said, urging budgetary planning and interjurisdictional cooperation among Hicksville, Sherwood and Ney.
County and village officials questioned options for addressing the gap. Council Member Rob Bailey noted the village’s past funding for EMS requests; Council Member Toni Egly asked whether conversations were underway about a full‑time EMS for the west end. Sheriff Engel cautioned that establishing full‑time EMS raises jurisdictional and political issues and that local agencies would need to coordinate.
EMS Chief Bruce Silcott told council the department has recorded 602 runs year‑to‑date, including 68 runs in October, and said he needs two additional full‑time EMTs. Silcott said next year’s budget includes wages sufficient for his prior requests but asked the council to hire two staff members this year if payroll funding can be found. Council Member Ron Beverly moved to hire two full‑time EMTs this year if the Fiscal Officer can identify the funds; Eric Bassett seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Fire/EMS Chief Darrick Crochran said training is underway and that turnout gear will be needed for 24 fire personnel; he proposed equipping units with an AED and a supplies bag so a certified EMT/firefighter can begin care before an ambulance arrives once training is complete.
The council did not set a timeline for broader structural changes discussed during the exchange, such as creating a full‑time, multi‑jurisdictional EMS service, and members emphasized budget constraints and the need for intermunicipal cooperation as next steps.
