Officials move ahead on EMT calls on turnpike

NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Township trustees authorized Fire Chief Brian Hughes to negotiate with the Ohio Turnpike Commission to let the township emergency medical technician service handle calls on the portion of the turnpike that runs through the township.
EMT Capt. Karen Philibin said that while a private ambulance service handles the calls, an agreement between the commission and the township would mean that all the calls would go to the township for a flat contract rate as well as reimbursement for any nonresidents using the service who did not pay.
In other business, trustees agreed to pay $1,800 to KLG Mobile Intensive Co., Salem, for a 2005 contract with Dr. Anita Ziemac, medical director of the township's ambulance service.
Trustee Shirley Heck reported she met with representatives from Browning-Ferris Industries and the Mahoning County Engineer's office about trucks speeding on Calla and State Line roads.
The township also has asked the Mahoning County Solid Waste Department to provide funding for police enforcement of the speed limit on State Line.
She said the trucks are using Calla Road as a shortcut to the BFI Carbon Limestone sanitary landfill on State Line Road.
Trustees approved adding Kenneth Day as a new township firefighter and Jessica Kliuber as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.