Cairo board signs paramedic services contract, approves multiple ambulance staffing moves

The Town Board of Cairo on Feb. 3 approved a 2025 Advanced Life Support (paramedic) services contract with Greene County Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. and took several personnel steps to stabilize ambulance operations after an immediate resignation.

Supervisor Jason Watts led the board in approving Resolution No. 2025-050 authorizing the supervisor to sign the contract with Greene County Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. The agreement obligates the town to participate in the ALS program and carry a total contract cost of $76,925, to be paid in three equal installments. The motion passed with Supervisor Watts, Council Member Bogins, Council Member Cords and Council Member Murphy voting aye; Council Member Flaherty was absent.

The board also recorded the immediate resignation of S. Dushane Jr. from both the Ambulance Administrator and AEMT positions. The resignation email in the record states, "I am writing this email to formally resign from both my position of Administrator and AEMT for the Town of Cairo Ambulance effective immediately. It has been a great experience taking care of the residents of Cairo as well as working with great employees. I would like to thank the Town of Cairo for allowing me this opportunity for the last eight years." The board did not record additional comment from the resigning employee during the meeting.

To maintain operations, the board approved related personnel motions. Resolution No. 2025-058 moved part-time EMT Joshua Mattice into a full-time EMT position effective immediately at a rate of $21.42 per hour under the union contract. Resolution No. 2025-062 appointed Kevin McGee as Temporary Ambulance Administrator at a $600 monthly stipend, payable in regular paychecks. The board also approved Resolution No. 2025-059 to advertise for a full-time Ambulance Administrator and Resolution No. 2025-060 to advertise for two full-time EMTs and one part-time EMT, with pay per the union contract.

Votes on the staffing resolutions carried with the same recorded affirmative votes from Watts, Bogins, Cords and Murphy; Council Member Flaherty was recorded absent for votes reported in the minutes. The motions and appointments were presented as administrative actions to ensure continuity in ambulance service and to begin recruitment for permanent positions.

The board did not discuss details of a recruitment timeline, candidate pool, or interim operational changes beyond the temporary appointment and the advertising approvals. The record shows the board entered and exited an executive session on personnel during the meeting but does not detail any personnel deliberations from that session.

What happens next: the town will begin advertising the Ambulance Administrator and EMT positions and proceed under the union pay provisions; the signed ALS contract obligates the town to the stated total payment schedule.