Ambulance director submits resignation

Jerry Johnston poses in the dispatch bay at the Cole County EMS building on Southridge Drive.
Jerry Johnston poses in the dispatch bay at the Cole County EMS building on Southridge Drive.

Although it has not been accepted by the Cole County Commission, Ambulance Director Jerry Johnston has offered to resign his post.

Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman confirmed Johnston sent out an email to ambulance staff Monday. Johnston said he talked with commissioners about this on Wednesday and his intent is for July 6 to be his last day as director.

"We're looking at all options right now," Bushman said. "Jerry could stay on in another capacity, but we have to have a director for the service because it's very complicated."

"This was my decision alone," Johnston said. "There was no conspiracy. It was done after a lot of reflection. I have no axe to grind. I did enjoy my year-and-a-half here, but it was just time for a change. I didn't consult the commission. I just talked to wife."

Johnston's resignation letter comes after some long time staff members were dismissed, followed by others resigning, in April. Those who departed said they questioned Johnston's leadership and felt it was best he be let go, but the commission decided to stay with Johnston as director. This also occurred at a time where the service was down as many as seven to eight paramedic positions and was finding it hard to recruit those workers.

The service also went from 24-hour to 12-hour shifts, something those who left or were let go said was a mistake.

"A lot of the unraveling started when we went away from the 24-hour shifts, but I still believe that was the best thing in light of our call volume and as a safety concern," said Johnston, who was working on one of the ambulances Monday night. "However, we quickly found out that 24-hour shifts are what the paramedics who work in Mid-Missouri like. They feel it gives them more flexibility in their schedules."

The service has had a high increase in overtime since the change was made and Johnston and other supervisors have been filling in when there have been openings on the schedule.

Bushman noted they have hired three paramedics over the last couple of weeks and all other positions on the service are filled.

The service has a full-time staff of 54 people and 40 part-time staff. There have been 13 full-time paramedics working, with the budget allowing for up to 21.

After meeting with staff earlier this month, Johnston recommended to the County Commission that the service remain on 12-hour shifts through September.

Bushman and Johnston said they are confident the service is starting to turn the corner with the hiring of the new paramedics and the arrival next month of new Deputy Director Matt Lindewirth, who has been serving as an emergency medical services chief in South Carolina.

Whether Lindewirth would take over as director was uncertain, Bushman said.

"I think he will have some ideas about how to work to make sure we have adequate staff and that may be returning to the 24-hour shifts," Bushman said. "I know that some of the people who left us said that was the reason they left us because they were used to it and the pay that came with it. Matt has been running 24-hour trucks along with some 12-hour trucks. I really believe he'll help us find ways to improve."

In his email to the ambulance staff, Johnston said, "I have nothing but incredible respect for all of you and the work you do every day under very difficult circumstances. I wish you nothing but the best and will remain one of your biggest supporters."

"I don't want to speculate because we've done a lot while Jerry has been here, but maybe we tried to do too much too quickly," Bushman said.