GLANDORF, Ohio (WLIO) — Putnam County broke ground this morning on an expansion to the Glandorf EMS building.
Leaders say the project is needed as call volumes rise and volunteer numbers drop.
EMS Director Brian Hilvers says crews have outgrown the small bunkhouse they currently occupy, and the expansion will give them more space to work and live.
The project includes new bedrooms, a kitchen, workout space and four bays for EMS units.
The $5.8 million project is fully funded through the county’s general fund.
“So last couple years, our volunteer calls — our EMS calls — have gone up about 200 to 300 more every year. So our call volume is getting more and more, and with our volunteers, the majority of our volunteers in our county work day shift. So during the daytime, that’s where we need our full-time staff to help supplement the volunteers as well,” said Brian Hilvers, director of the Putnam County Office of Public Safety.
“We decided that we’d just bite the bullet and put this bay on. It will hold about four EMS units, 16 personnel in bunkhouses — separate male and female bunkhouses — so it’ll be a lot more convenient for them. Probably cut a couple minutes off of a runtime, and minutes are big when it comes to an emergency,” said Putnam County Commissioner John Schlumbohm.
Construction is expected to finish in December 2026.
