By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
For the fifth consecutive year, the Bowling Green Fire Division has been recognized for excellence in prehospital care for heart attack and stroke cases.
The division earned the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Achievement Award. Lt. Brandon Westerman reported to the city council Monday night that the division continues to meet the gold standard when it responds to cardiac arrest and stroke events.
Heart disease and strokes are the number one and number five causes of death in the United States, Westerman said. The award is based on compliance with policies and procedures and also recognizes skills.
For strokes, the criteria include providing an initial evaluation of the patient and judging where they should go for the best care all within a specific timeline. Also, the receiving hospital must be notified within 10 minutes that a stroke patient will be arriving as well as the last known time when the person was well. The EMS must also provide blood glucose levels to determine if the incident is a diabetic emergency and do a stroke screening. The information allows the hospital to properly prepare and set the guidelines for the treatment they can provide.
For cardiac cases, Westerman said the criteria include conducting an EKG within 10 minutes of seeing the patient, and notifying the facility if a heart attack is identified. They provide aspirin to the patient and possibly thrombolytic medication, and treatment must be received within 90 minutes.
“We have to comply with 75% of patients we receive to stay at that level to receive the award year after year,” Westerman said. “This is an entire division award.”
Also during the meeting, BG police officers Caleb Kusmieirek and Ryan Sehlhorst were introduced by Police Chief Tony Hetrick and sworn in by Mayor Mike Aspacher as newly promoted sergeants in the police division.
Kusmieirek, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, has been an officer with the police division since August 2013. He serves as a team leader on the Wood County Special Response Team and is a division trainer in defensive tactics.
Sehlhorst has been with the police division since August 2016. He has served as a field training officer, firearms instructor and supervisor of the police division drone program. He previously served with the Ottawa (Ohio) Police Department.
“When we consider our most basic responsibilities, fire and police are at the top of the list,” Mayor Mike Aspacher said in congratulating the fire division and the newly promoted police sergeants.
Councilman Bill Herald commended the mayor and the chiefs “for continuing the tradition of emphasizing fire and police.” Both divisions are nationally accredited,
In other business, council:
- Authorized moving forward with plans to construct a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the intersection of West Wooster and Maple streets. Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter was authorized to sign an LPA agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation and to seek qualifications, advertise for bids, and enter into contracts for design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and other services related to the pedestrian hybrid beacon.
- Approved an annexation request by Vicki L. Frobose for approximately 1.57 acres on South Dunbridge Road. Frobose plans to construct a veterinary clinic. Additionally, council tabled legislation to establish interim zoning of IE Innovation and Employment zoning for the annexed property until after a public hearing on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.
- Referred to the finance committee for further review, an ordinance to refine the process for determining the lowest and best bid on public improvement projects. The committee was asked to report back after a public hearing on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.
- Introduced ordinances that will address exterior property maintenance, inoperable vehicles, noxious weeds and managed natural landscapes.
- Reappointed Connie Weaver to the Transportation Advisory Committee through May 31, 2026, and appointed Vanessa Espinosa to the Human Relations Commission through May 31, 2024.
- Reminded the public of the Oct. 26 ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. for the new City Building
- Heard from Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter that Human Resources Director Barbara Ford will be retiring at the end of October after 40 years of service. Tretter thanked Ford for her service and announced an open house in her honor is scheduled for Oct. 25 from 3:30 to 5:30 at the City Building.
