On The Road - Hardin County, Kentucky

One thing you can be certain of. EMS units frequent fast food restaurants with regularity, no matter what part of the country you are in. From my own experience its because the time factor for meal breaks is minimal between calls or posting assignments and many a meal is consumed hand to mouth, and rapidly. Usually with indigestion to follow. Fast food franchises always offer something hot, filling, and quick. Maybe that’s why Jack In The Box used a hook and ladder in its commercials during the 1970’s where the crew in the cab made the order and the tiller driver picked up the order in the drive thru to emphasize the “fast“ factor.

While in Elizabethtown, or “E-Town” as the locals call it I spotted 2 units on a meal break and made my way in for an introduction and visit while they constantly monitored their radios while taking their meal break.

A short break for fast food - The “norm” in EMS

Consistent with most people I have met in EMS over the last 43 years, they were friendly and open to my questions about the service in the local area and spoke highly of the service in their community as well as the first responders and neighboring communities. Jeffrey McBride, who was the Paramedic Supervisor, Jason Clopton and Bill Lohden answered my questions and referred me to visit the headquarters for a more in depth look at the Hardin County EMS.

The following day I went in and met with James “Don” Howard, who was the Paramedic Shift Supervisor on duty that day. Again, I was met with a welcome that was friendly and sincere.

Don gave me the station tour and explained that Hardin County EMS is a County funded and operated service, staff are County personnel working 24 hours on/48 hours off. They operate 12 units that run out of 3 stations and have plans to expand to 2 additional stations to provide better coverage and reduce response times. Their current call volume is 16,000 calls annually.

Don went on to show me their crew quarters, training facilities, mobile command post and I was very impressed that they had put together an accountability status board for EMS personnel for large incidents. It was put in use the previous month when severe flooding hit the area.

Everything I saw reinforced that they are a very proactive provider and have good political and community support for their service.

Both Don and the staff I met the previous day highlighted the good working relationships and mutual aid with the various fire departments and first responders in the local area.

The residents of Hardin County should be proud of their EMS provider and realize that everything I saw was top notch from equipment, training, commitment and attitudes. It was refreshing to see front line staff with such positive attitudes.

Hardin County EMS has a website and is currently accepting applications for Paramedics.