PIKE CO, IN (WFIE) -
A proposal to build a new emergency management services building receives a green light from the county commission, but then runs into a roadblock.
Pike County EMS first responders tell 14 News they've outgrown the facility in many ways, and were hoping to move toward a new building they've secured funding for. But on Tuesday, the county council rejected that proposal.
"Our goal is to provide the highest level of care, in the timeliest fashion to the citizens of Pike County," said Pike County paramedic, Joe Millspaugh.
"It's a demanding job for us," said paramedic Denise Berger.
But Millspaugh and Berger say providing the best care is difficult when the central offices are in an outdated facility built in the 1980's, originally made to house two paramedics overnight, not three like they have most nights.
"It's pretty uncomfortable," Millspaugh said.
Or four, which is the amount of paramedics they say they will need very soon.
"We've had some that have had medical issues come up because of the mold," Berger said.
"We have a back up unit. We have to store outside. We can't keep it fully stocked because of environmental issues and security issues," Millspaugh said.
"We also have electrical issues. We had an outlet outside that started a fire one day. That outlet is on the outside where the oxygen tanks are housed," Berger said.
All of those issues are outlined in a proposal for a new building.
Pike County EMS found their own funding through local donations for a new location, clearing of the land, heating and air, and furnishings. But without the county council approval, they can't move forward on the building.
Just this year alone, Pike County EMS responded to about 930 runs. That's almost more than all of 2010 and paramedics say they expect the number of runs to increase with the completion of this part of I-69 by this fall.
"I-69 will eventually increase our own volume. We will be covering from the Petersburg exit to Washington, and then from Petersburg South to the Gibson County line. Our goal is to have on duty, 365 days a year, two crews and two trucks," Millspaugh said.
Paramedics hope the county council will revisit the proposal or help them come up with other options.
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County council rejected the proposal for a new Pike County EMS building on Tuesday.
