An emergency medical services chief from South Carolina will start work as the new Cole County deputy director of emergency medical services July 9.
Matt Lindewirth is originally from the St. Louis area but has been serving as EMS chief in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Cole County EMS Director Jerry Johnston said Lindewirth is a nationally registered paramedic and holds a master's degree from Creighton University. He also is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
Lindewirth was able to increase the number of deployed ambulances by one-third during his time as chief in Berkeley County, according to a biography provided by Johnston. They also increased staffing levels to the largest in the county's history which led to decreasing response times.
Prior to going to South Carolina, Lindewirth worked 18 years in the St. Charles County and Meramec Ambulance Districts in Missouri as well as Abbott EMS, which provides ambulance service in Missouri and Illinois.
Lindewirth will take the position previously held by Kevin Wieberg, who is now the Moniteau County 911 director.
In March, Wieberg was terminated from his position as deputy chief for the Cole County Ambulance Service during a closed meeting of the Cole County Commission. Cole County Attorney Jill LaHue, citing state statute, could not give a specific reason for his termination. Wieberg had filed a grievance but said he had an appeal hearing and "left on good terms with the County Commission."
With Lindewirth's hiring, the ambulance service still has eight paramedic openings, as of Monday. All emergency medical technician and communication positions have been filled.
The county budget allows for 55 full-time ambulance positions, with 47 currently filled. There also are 40 part-time employees on the service.