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Hedin, who began as director of the Torch Lake Township EMS on Jan. 2, is also currently director of the Elk Rapids EMS, a position she's held since 1999. She has worked with the Elk Rapids department since 1993.

Hedin said she hopes to help restructure the Torch Lake Township EMS and get the department operating smoothly.

Township Supervisor Bob Spencer said Hedin's experience with Elk Rapids' EMS will support her in her new role.

"The wealth of her years of experience will serve her well in the position," he said.

The township's EMS currently has about 16 members, and Hedin said she's met most of them during continuing education held in Elk Rapids.

"Since we are neighboring communities, we've had situations where we've worked together on runs," she said. "I do know several of the people in the department, and they're all nice and friendly and a good group."

The vacancy appealed to Hedin because with the proximity between Elk Rapids and Torch Lake townships, she felt she knew what needed to be done.

"I thought they needed immediate help, and I thought I could do it," she said.

Hedin lives in Kewadin and has lived in the area since 1983. She said she's very familiar with it because of her experience in real estate, which she had been involved in for seven years before taking a year off. She is married to Tom, who she said has been in EMS since long before her. She has a son, Jesse, and a step-daughter, Sabrina, who are both grown and living elsewhere.

Spencer said two people were interviewed for the position and at a special Dec. 28 meeting, the board voted 4-0, with one absent, to hire Hedin.

Spencer said the role serves to provide leadership and management of a "critical function of government."

The EMS director position is part-time and includes budget planning and oversight responsibilities as well as making sure members are properly trained.

The position also provides leadership to develop "positive feelings about the EMS operation," he said.