Residents of the Rock Township Ambulance District will go to the polls on April 5 to choose two members of the district’s Board of Directors.
The field includes Lynne Ruzicka, who is running for a third three-year term, and Darla Kos, Andrew West and previous board member Paul D. Horn.
Christy Gay decided not to file for a third term.
Members of the board are not paid.
The district covers 108 square miles in northeast Jefferson County.
RUZICKA, 58, lives in Arnold. She and her husband, Tom, have four children and three grandchildren. She is semi-retired from real estate investing and management. She studied psychology and business at St. Louis Community College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
KOS, 52, lives in Arnold. She and her husband, Tim, have four children and one grandchild. She works in housekeeping. She is a Fox High School graduate and took night classes at Jefferson College while working full-time.
WEST, 42, lives in Imperial. He and his wife, Angela, have two children. He is an operations manager for the neonatal and pediatric transport team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. He received a master’s degree in executive leadership with an emphasis in non-profit business management from Liberty University in 2016.
He previously worked for the district from 2007-2021 as a paramedic and deputy chief-medical officer before leaving to advance his career.
HORN, 66, lives in Arnold. He is a retired custodian for the Fox C-6 School District. He and his wife, Teresa, have two grandchildren and five grandchildren. He took nursing classes through Mineral Area College and received an emergency medical technician certificate from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Ruzicka: Serving on this board, and as its chair and vice chair for the past six years, I have been supportive of the district while concentrating on the importance of transparency and fiscal responsibility. It is very important to support the paramedics, because their success means the best care for patients. I will continue to support a tight budget while providing the best services.
Kos: I have been a wife for 32 years and am a mother and grandmother. I grew up serving at church chicken dinners and helping at Vacation Bible School. I helped a Marine friend with PTSD for 20 years. I loved my child through cancer and the 10 years of illness that followed and am the one who helps all the old folks in our family. These life experiences will serve me well in this position.
West: I have almost 20 years of experience working in emergency medical service, the last five in senior leadership and management. As an EMT-paramedic at Rock Township, I worked on an ambulance and helicopter and as a chief officer. I manage the business operations of the transport team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. I have been in almost every level of EMS and understand what it takes to manage a successful EMS department.
Horn: I have previously served three terms on the district’s board, from 1995-2001 and then 2018-2021.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Ruzicka: The ever-growing call numbers due to population growth creates challenges. Aging buildings, house locations and equipment, paramedic staffing and budget allowances to keep up with need are some. I have been a part of the work to solve these challenges. Two ambulance houses have been built, much-needed updated medical equipment and new ambulances acquired. A master plan has been created and is coming to fruition. The current board has worked hard to provide the best to the district while maintaining a very tight budget. Being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers is important to me.
Kos: The high turnover of our paramedics. We have to support our first responders by giving them good salaries and by keeping their health insurance intact. We also need a quality workforce that is trained well and has the proper equipment. These are issues I would pay attention to, as well as, making sure taxpayer funds are spent correctly.
West: Adequate staffing. In the last few years, 12 full-time employees (a third of all full-time staff) have left to pursue other jobs. The district relies heavily on part-time employees who leave for other jobs regularly. This causes an undue financial strain to train new employees and pay overtime just to have five ambulances at minimum staffing. I would work to provide a better working environment to promote employee retention, which will lead to better staffing and less turnover. In today’s job market, you cannot continue to hemorrhage good employees.
Horn: Like all other medical fields, the district is facing a shortage of paramedics. We need to be competitive with wages and benefits along with offering incentives to attract the best candidates. We should also keep pace with wages for our dedicated long-term staff. When looking into ambulance replacements, the district should obtain competitive bids and try to deal with in-state vendors.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Ruzicka: I will continue to support paramedics and administration. My support will be through suggestions and my votes based on fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers, with a responsible budget that supports the quickest and best medical services possible. The master plan is focused on accomplishing that and I have been a part of that implementation.
Kos: My children are grown and my goal is to give back by serving this great community. I have great compassion for those less fortunate and will serve to the best of my ability.
West: I have the experience and education needed to help make sure that an ambulance will respond in a timely manner when your loved one needs help. The whole reason Rock Township exists is to serve the community in times of need. With reduced employee turnover, strong leadership and fiduciary responsibility, we can continue to provide great emergency medicine. My goals are for the district to be more financially solvent, increase employee morale and retention and to help cast a vision. The district cannot continue to lose good employees.
Horn: If I am elected, I will work to keep the district’s costs within budget while still providing the best care.
I will keep our residents informed of the financial status of the district along with any other pertinent information that should be brought to their attention.