Warsaw EMS moves into new building
The former Warsaw EMS building is too small for the current operation. This bay area was barely big enough to fit two ambulances inside.
The new Warsaw EMS building was completed last April and has enough room for both paramedics and village council meetings. The new bay area has enough room to fit three ambulances comfortably.
WARSAW – Last May, Warsaw EMS moved into a new building located right beside of their former building on Main Street in Warsaw. The move was more than necessary as the squad had outgrown their former location that had been their home since it was built in 1972.
“It was very good for the time,” said Donna Carpenter. “It did what needed to be done. It was a roof over our heads and a place to eat.”
Warsaw was one of the first squads to be established separate from funeral homes. Back then, funeral homes also provided ambulance services. When the building was built, ambulances were only small vans and weren’t as big as they are today. In the former location, there was only enough room for two ambulances in the bay and space was so tight that they would often touch the back wall and there wasn’t much clearance between the vehicle and the doors.
“There’s a lot of history here,” said Carpenter. “When you’re moving, even though the building is old, we still ran out of this station first. This was our home at the beginning of our career. It’s kind of sad because it’s a part of your history.”
The building was never meant for paramedics to stay there through the night, and with a cramped board room, half a kitchen, and a small bay area, employees knew it was time to move.
Construction on the new building started in September 2015 by Straight Line Construction and was completed in April of this year. Warsaw Village Council also meets in the upstairs portion of the building.
“It took a combined effort of village council, the commissioners, and us working together to make this all happen,” said Todd Shroyer. “This shows what we can do when we all work together.”
The building sits on two lots, one purchased from the Jackson family and the other was given to the village by the commissioners. The building cost $595,000 and money was raised by allocating $45,000 per year and then $100,000 per year of the EMS billing fund for the new building. Levy tax money can only be used for maintenance and operation costs, so no tax dollars were used in the construction of the new building. Used vehicles were purchased to help save money as well.
The new building features a large meeting area, a large kitchen area, two bedrooms, a recreation room, a full bathroom, and a large bay area to house three ambulances. It even has an additional room that is not in use yet for future development. The building is also handicap accessible.
“The long-term goal is to do something like this in Coshocton because we need it there too,” said Shroyer.
At Warsaw, the station is manned by one two-person crew and Shroyer said the county receives on average 6,500 calls a year. They are planning to have an open house in the near future.
“This building is a nice addition to Warsaw,” said Carpenter.
Category: Government
