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WILLIAMSBURG - Whitewater Township officials are looking for a new ambulance coordinator after coordinator Gary Kiernan resigned two weeks ago during a public meeting.

During the Sept. 16 regular board meeting, board members disagreed with each other and some disagreed with Kiernan about the placement of a Combi Tool, a portable Jaws of Life, on the township ambulance. The tool is used to open vehicles that have people trapped inside them after a car accident.

The tool sat on the floor at the township fire station until Sept. 2 when township fire chief Randy Stites asked the board to approve carrying the tool on the ambulance.

Kiernan told the board ambulance personnel need to be outfitted with protective gear before they can safely use the Combi Tool and that is why the tool was not carried on the ambulance. The gear includes boots, protective clothing and headgear, which are expensive and would not all fit on the ambulance if the township purchased it, Kiernan told the board.

Township supervisor Larry Lake, though, said he thought the tool should be carried on the ambulance so it could be used by first responders or other emergency personnel who arrive at the scene in their own vehicles and may have the necessary protective equipment with them.

"This would allow the trained responders to open disabled vehicles and remove victims trapped within," Lake said.

Two township board members disagreed with Lake. At the meeting, clerk Carol Hockin and trustee Ann Couturier both said placing the tool on the ambulance could cause a liability for the township if responders who had not been trained to properly use the tool or did not have the correct safety equipment injured themselves or others while attempting to use the tool.

Both Hockin and Couturier said a policy needs to be in place to detail what training and what equipment a responder needs before using the Combi Tool.

Currently, the tool is being carried on any township ambulance responding to an emergency.

Kiernan stepped down as ambulance coordinator at the Sept. 16 meeting.

Assistant coordinator Kyle Stites is handling the ambulance coordinator duties until the township board names a new coordinator.

Discussions involving liability insurance and proper training and protection for emergency personnel will continue at board meetings.

"The issue will be on the next board agenda and will remain there until it is resolved," Lake said.

The next regular Whitewater Township Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the township hall.

Stacey Smith can be reached for question or comment at ssmith@michigannewspapers.com Ê or by calling 231-264-9711.