OL director provides update

Friday, April 6, 2018

Operating at an increased funding level since Jan. 1, Operation Life has increased its staffing level and is off to a busy start to 2018, the organization’s executive director told the Putnam County Commissioners.

“The year has been busy,” E.J. Claflin said.

OL responded to 805 calls between Jan. 1 and March 31, he told the commissioners during their first April meeting.

Additionally, beginning March 11, the ambulance service has staffed three ambulances 24 hours a day. This was part of the mandate when the commissioners voted in October to up annual funding to OL from $80,000 to $400,000.

Claflin said the service has now gone to 24 hours on duty followed by 72 off, as opposed to just 48 hours between shift before. He said such a move can help prevent burnout among the staff.

Even with these changes, Claflin added, payroll is up just seven percent.

“So we’re actually getting more for the money we spend,” Claflin said.

“All in all, it’s worked out very well,” he added. “We are grateful to the commissioners and the county for the support.”

One move Claflin is still hoping to make is to set up a tracking system with 911 Dispatch so that dispatchers can always know where each ambulance is, thus ensuring the quickest response time.

However, Claflin said some dead coverage spots in the county have to be worked out before such a system can most effectively be used.

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  • hmmmm, I could do a whole lot more too if I had that much of an increase in my budget.

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Sat, Apr 7, 2018, at 11:09 AM
  • Good Job Eric -keep it up! Big improvements in the professionalism of the whole organization- I don't hear it called bad names near as much anymore!

    -- Posted by small town fan on Mon, Apr 9, 2018, at 8:23 AM
  • So OL is now staffing 3 trucks 24 hours a day. If I remember right the Putnam County Commissioners gave OL money to help with buying a new ambulance and to help with staffing issues. At that time the Putnam County Commissioners were told they would have 3 ambulance 24 hours a day if they were given that money. Shame on our County Commissioners for not following up on this, shame on them for allowing the county to be taken like that and shame on them for not holding an organization accountable for their actions. There are several services that could do it so much cheaper. Our County Commissioners have not concept of fiscal responsibility!

    -- Posted by putnamcountyperson on Mon, Apr 9, 2018, at 8:46 AM
  • Not sure what the problem is putnamcountyperson. OL has stated in this article that they are staffing 3 ambulances 24 hours as the county commissioners requested. So why are you bashing OL and our commissioners? Keep up the good work OL.

    -- Posted by Nit on Mon, Apr 9, 2018, at 8:04 PM
  • Someone needs to keep an eye on OL..

    -- Posted by beenthere too on Tue, Apr 10, 2018, at 6:20 AM
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