Cole County names new EMS director

Cole County leaders announced Wednesday morning that Jerry Johnston will take over as director of Cole County Emergency Medical Services.

Johnston’s career in EMS has spanned more than four decades, most recently serving as Director of Operations for the Paramedics Plus Alameda County Operation in California.

Before that, Johnston served as EMS Director for a hospital-based system in Iowa for 22 years. He is also a past president of the National Association of EMTs, an organization for which he has served in numerous leadership positions.

In 2001, Jerry was the recipient of NAEMT’s William Klingensmith EMS Administrator of the Year award.

You can view Johnston’s resume here:

The hire comes several months after the former Cole County EMS director Mike Shirts was demoted from the position amid complaints from staff.

Johnston will start the director position in January of 2017.