Ambulance Director Shares Dispatching Errors With Co. Board

Washington County Ambulance Director John Felchlia met resistance when he tried to tell the County Board about operating problems in the 911 dispatch office at the meeting October 8. County Board Chairman Dave Meyer first said that Felchlia couldn’t speak, then agreed, but soon stopped Felchlia after a few minutes. 

Meyer said that it should have been discussed first by the County Board Ambulance Committee, and then brought to the board by the Chairman.

Felchlia then got his opportunity to talk in the “Opportunity for General Public To Address The Board” part of the agenda. He told the board that he has tried to bring the concern to the Ambulance Committee, but can’t get enough Board members to attend, so nothing is done.

Felchlia said that mistakes made by dispatching in not following protocol has endangered lives in Washington County.
“The system is failing miserably. Delays in response continually happen, which ultimately affect the Ambulance Department,” he said.

The Board also heard from Animal Control, County Road Engineer Keifer Heimann, State’s Attorney Dan Bronke, and others reporting on various business such as Zoning Fees, Appointments, Highway Sealing and more.

Read the full report on the Board meeting in this week’s issue.