COOK- In a move intended to strengthen the overall operation of the Cook Ambulance Service, current crew members Amy Luecken and Will Fischer will take on leadership of the service by sharing its directorship beginning in January.
News of the move was contained in the Cook City Council agenda sent to the Timberjay on Tuesday and was to be discussed at the council’s regular December meeting on Thursday.
Current ambulance director Roland Shoen, who has been on board since July 2022, explained the rationale for the change in his monthly ambulance report to the council.
“We have been working on getting a full-time EMT/Director for the service. This is needed toprovide a stronger sense of leadership from a director who can be on the roster and running with the crew,” Shoen wrote. “We knew this but, (it was) further reiterated by the crew in the EMSRB (Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board) survey from September this year.”
“I, Director Shoen, when brought into the service agreed to help direct the crew until we could get such a person into the role,” Shoen continued. “Living in Chisholm we knew it was not possible for me to take calls, or be on call/able to cover call time, but hopefully could bring some continuity to the overall operation of the service.
“Now, after 18 months with many improvements, and staff morale being high (according to the same survey), Amy Luecken and Will Fischer are going to work in tandem to fill the position of director and I will be resigning the position on Jan. 1st, 2024,” he concluded.
“I wish them success in this role and hope Cook Area Ambulance Service continues to provide great service and continues to get better in the future. Thank you to the crew, council, mayor and administration for the faith and trust you have put in me this past year and a half.”
Including Luecken and Fischer, the service currently has eight EMTs and five EMRs on staff, with two members out on medical leave, according to the report.
Prior to the release of the agenda, the Timberjay contacted Shoen for an interview about the ambulance service, but he deferred an interview until after Thursday’s council meeting. The Timberjay will report on any additional information from the meeting in next week’s edition.