.jpg)
COLUMBUS — Colorado and Lacava counties dissolved a four-year long partnership to share an EMS director late last week.
EMS Director Michael Furrh submitted his resignation effective Oct. 31 ahead of each Commissioners Court’s meetings.
The partnership started Sept. 6, 2022, and split Furrh’s time, administrative duties and compensation between the two counties. Before the agreement, Furrh was employed by Lavaca County as EMS Director, and served prior as an EMS administrator for Colorado County.
Colorado County Judge Ty Prause cited concerns about resource demand in both counties and a desire for a full-time director solely for Colorado County during a meeting Thursday, Sept. 10. He said discussion of the partnership’s efficiency began around eight months ago.
“The need to sustain resources, to move people around to accommodate our growing needs and demands for our service has grown,” Prause said. “In talking to Lacava County as well, they felt they were in the same position.”
Lacava County commissioners finalized the dissolution Friday morning, Sept. 11. The Citizen was unable to reach Lacava County Judge Keith Mudd in time for press, but officials confirmed that Furrh also resigned from Lavaca County.
Colorado County officials said the court is expected to appoint current Assistant Director Marti Ingvardsen to be the Interim EMS Director after Oct. 31. Ingvardsen said the transition period of over a month will allow for the transfer of Drug Enforcement Agency licenses and notification to the state.
In his resignation letter, Furrh wrote he was proud of his 11 years of service to both counties and of improving the EMS department’s ambulance services. Prause added Furrh helped Colorado County build the EMS department back up from one paramedic to around 15 today.
“I have been fortunate to lead some of the most dedicated and highly trained EMS professionals anywhere, and I am proud of the organizations they have helped us build,” Furrh wrote. “I am equally proud of the administrative and financial improvements we have made. I have always believed an EMS chief has the responsibility not only to provide excellent patient care but also to be a responsible steward of public funds.”
Furrh wrote continually dividing his time and energy comes at a cost and that one person cannot shoulder the attention both counties deserve and need and added that he wants to “give greater attention to the professional and personal priorities” in his life.
