The Pilot News - An era of a volunteer EMS comes to a close

Because the new service will take over Aug. 1 and remodeling of the present EMS building on North Street is already well under way, the future of the equipment and possessions of Bourbon’s volunteer force (and owned by the town) needed to be addressed.
Also, because one of the two ambulances (the newer one) was included in the contract between the town and Multi-Township EMS (MTEMS), it needs to be stripped, as it will become MTEMS property and they will be stocking it with their own supplies and equipment.
A diagnostic check and any repairs that might need to be made will also be performed before it is released to the new EMS company.
The second ambulance may be offered to MTEMS for purchase or may be used as a “first run” truck for the local fire department. “If our own entities can use it we should offer it to them first,” said town council member Larry Wattenbarger.
Bourbon Township Trustee and EMS Advisory Board member Roger Schori agreed. “I’m all for being helpful — but we should keep what we can for the town,” he said.
Furniture, including a desk, a TV, an entertainment center, a computer, printer, couch, tables and appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator and stove) were among the items of property discussed and the fate of each is still unsure. “We have to remember,” said Schori, “A lot of this stuff was purchased with taxpayer money. We can’t just give it all away.”
Bourbon EMS President Frank Martin said that taking a full inventory might take as long as a week to accomplish. Terry Clemens, EMS Advisory Board member and volunteer BEMS driver informed the group gathered at the town meeting room that they had been offered a storage shed to use, free of charge, at Bates Storage, for 60-days.
Possession of five defribrilators was also discussed. Clemens suggested giving one to the fire department and another to be left at the park building (Bourbon Community Park) and another to the school as so often many people are in those areas.
It was noted that not just anyone is licensed to use the machines but, should a person in the general vicinity of one be in need of it, the life-saving device could be used by someone that is qualified but that does not have on hand, and having one easily available could be opportune.
It was decided that several training mannequins could be sold or given to MTEMS or given to the fire department to use for rescue training purposes should they so desire them and EMS jackets and coats could be kept by the individual volunteers they were issued to.
Money was the next point of business as the volunteer service is given a compensation each year around Christmas with a total of around $15,000 to be divided amongst them. “The service will have been working for approximately eight months and it comes to about a $10,000 split (once split per month),” said Schori. “I don’t want anyone to think we don’t appreciate their efforts, because we certainly do. You’ve given us the service — but I have a problem with giving an additional $5,000 for four months if you’re not giving the service (as the pro-rated estimated balance would be).”
Martin was then left with the decision as to how to split the money and said that he hoped to distribute it fairly, per experience and years of service, which he explained he would discuss at the next (and final BEMS meeting. “I’d like to have something for everyone,” he said. “A lot of them have been overscheduled and have been under a lot of stress and I want to give them some sort of compensation, a dinner or a plaque.”
Martin was assured by those in charge of the funds that the remaining money allotted for Bourbon’s service, a total near $1,000, could be used for just that purpose. Several boxes and three filing cabinets of records also needed to find a new home immediately, and because the records need to be kept for legal purposes for seven years before disposal, it was decided that they would be moved to the town hall building and any records exceeding that seven-year window would be destroyed.
EMS volunteers now face inventory and liquidation of all the former property and whether or not they want to remain as volunteers under their own directive or whether they wish to pursue other endeavors. Originally it had been discussed that Bourbon volunteers had the option of volunteering for nearby Tippecanoe’s volunteer EMS force, but Tippy township signed their own agreement with MTEMS prior to Bourbon approving their contracts.
Once all loose ends are tied, the dedicated volunteer crew started decades ago will be a thing of the past but some familiar faces will be seen again during emergency medical situations as they further their education and are hired on by MTEMS.