JEMS makes progress on chief search, faces budget woes

Billing revenue from ambulance runs is down $50,000 so far this year.

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer 10:24 PM Friday, July 3, 2009

FRANKLIN — Looking to the upcoming Joint Emergency Medical Services District board meeting, progress has been made on the selection of a chief, but possible budget problems have been brought to light.

The July 13 meeting will follow an assessment on July 9 by the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association of the six semifinalists in the search for a full-time chief. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the JEMS building on Sixth Street.

The emergency services covering Franklin, Carlisle and Franklin Twp. have grown too large for a part-time chief, said Franklin Councilman Jason Faulkner, a JEMS board member.

“As time has gone on it has become very clear there are some gaps in leadership, gaps in continuity; it’s gotten large enough that part time isn’t sufficient enough,” said Faulkner, who expects a chief to be named by September.

The six semifinalists for the position — Richard Fletcher of Mason, Keith Kahler of Put-In-Bay, Robert Kidd of Centerville, Ray Mueller of Mason, Daryl Norviel of Dayton and Andrew Riddiough of Franklin — don’t include current Chief Brandon Saylor, who has been chief for 9½ years.

At JEMS’ finance meeting June 30, it was determined billing was down $50,000 and ambulance runs were down by 100 so far this year, said Saylor. Billing accounts for least 50 percent of the ambulance department’s revenues, the rest of which comes from tax levies, he said.

This is the first decrease since the 1990s. Saylor said possible cuts could include eliminating an ambulance or sharing services with other communities.

“I think if they really, really have to make these cuts, they need to put it in front of the taxpayer, let them make the decisions about services they need or want,” Saylor said.

For now, the budget issue is an estimate. It’s possible billings and runs could increase by the end of the year, Faulkner and Saylor said.

“If they don’t recover, then things are pretty lean,” Faulkner said.

JEMS has a run volume of 3,800 and about 55 people on staff, Faulkner said.

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What really needs to happen is that the JEMS board needs to be replaced. These people on this board have all of these great ideas, but no funds to see these creative thoughts through. Saylor is doing an excellent job as a chief. If it aint broken then don't fix it. There is no need for a new chief from outside of Franklin, JEMS has its faults but runs smoothly. Also, why is it that I no longer see JEMS members eating out at local restaurants. It was nice when the public could interact EMS.

new jems board
6:46 PM, 7/4/2009

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fedup - how franklin really works? isn't jems carlisle and franklin township too? franklin is only one of three right? all three or at least two of three had to agree to replace saylor.

polish
11:46 PM, 7/3/2009

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sounds like an upcoming tax levy. saylor is quoted as saying if "they" have to make these cuts to put it in front of the taxpayer. isn't "he" part of "they" - what is his recommendation?

polish
11:25 PM, 7/3/2009

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Wait and see taxpayers. By not having Chief Saylor in charge they will hire someone who does not know how the city of Franklin really works. The city will soon be running squads out of the fire department who will also take over the JEMS building as another fire station. I would guess they will build a new one on 2nd street as well. Don't believe me? JUST WAIT.

FedUpInFranklin
10:37 PM, 7/3/2009

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