11 - EMS Director - Appointment of Russell ThrasherItem No. 11
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
SUBJECT: EMS Director
Appointment of Russell Thrasher
City Charter Section 23
DATE: June 14, 2021
BACKGROUND:
The EMS Director position has been vacant since November 2020. It became the task of the City
Manager to seek out and select an appropriate candidate to fill this position. A copy of the Job
Description is found below.
The City Manager worked with Thomas McMonigle, Fire Chief, and Sandy Collard, Human
Resource and Civil Service Director, to serve as an Interview Team. A total of five individuals
were interviewed.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
I am pleased to present to you Russell Thrasher as my selection for EMS Director. Mr. Thrasher
has 20+ years of service with the City EMS Department, working his way up through the ranks,
most recently serving as Shift Supervisor and in the last six months as Interim EMS Director. I
am very impressed with this individual, both in his experience as well as his character. He
possesses the right combination of potential, experience, attitude, energy, professionalism and
civility that I want to see as the leader of the EMS Department. Mr. Thrasher has done an
outstanding job as the Interim EMS Director these last six months, taking on a massive workload
while also combating CoVid-19 in our community. He holds an impressive array of education and
training credentials that have helped prepare him to take on the challenges of leading the Paris
EMS Department as its new EMS Director.
Pursuant to the Paris City Charter, Section 23, "Neither the council nor any of its members shall
direct the City Manager or any of his subordinates in the appointment or removal of any city
employee; provided, however, that the al aointment o ;de artment heads shall be subiect to the
amp-roval o " the council.," Therefore, the job offer to Russell Thrasher is contingent upon the
approval of the City Council.
A copy of his resume is available upon request.
If his appointment is approved by the City Council, Mr. Thrasher will start his new role as EMS
Director immediately.
BUDGET:
Given his years of experience and credentials, Russell Thrasher will be given a starting salary of
Grade 55, Step 5, which is $89,355.00. This is a salaried position.
OPTIONS:
A resolution has been presented to you tonight to appoint the City Manager's selection of Russell
Thrasher as the EMS Director.
1. Approve the resolution as presented.
2. Request edits to the resolution as presented.
3. Request additional information regarding Russell Thrasher or the process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution to appoint Russell Thrasher as the EMS Director.
JOB DESCRIPTION
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE DIRECTOR
General Statement of Duties
Under the general supervision of the City Manager, this position is responsible for the overall
management of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Department, which includes but is not
limited to, developing policies and procedures, developing and implementing short-term and
long-term department goals, creating and managing the budget, prioritization of needs, and
allocation of resources. This position interacts regularly with other City departments, other
public agencies, other emergency service agencies, community groups, news media and the
general public.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Directs, plans, supervises, oversees, implements and organizes the financial
management, operations, work flow and maintenance of the EMS Department for the
rescue and protection of life, including pre -hospital health care in emergency and non-
emergency situations, transferring of patients in between medical facilities, and billing
services.
• In coordination with the EMS Medical Director, develops and implements goals, priorities,
policies, objectives, standards and procedures relating to the EMS Department, including
regularly reviewing Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).
• Directs ongoing research into modern and new emergency medical service methods,
technologies and trends and recommends implementation of programs and equipment
to help the EMS Department achieve its objectives more efficiently.
• Responds to major emergency incident scenes and takes command when appropriate.
• Analyzes future personnel staffing needs and develops short and long-term plans to meet
those needs with emphasis on retention.
• Selects, promotes, motivates, evaluates, trains, and disciplines EMS Department
personnel consistent with applicable laws and the City's Personnel Policies and
Procedures.
• Supervises and monitors staff performance, ensuring that they are in compliance with
City and department policies, procedures, ordinances and resolutions.
• Develops and maintains an efficient complaint tracking system for the EMS Department,
investigating issues, and responds to concerns.
• Advises City Manager and Department Heads of EMS Department issues and solutions to
address issues.
• Works with the EMS Medical Director, Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and other City and non -
City Emergency Management Staff in addressing matters of public safety.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with colleagues within the City
Departments, peers in other emergency service agencies, local medical facilities, minority
and other community groups.
• Coordinates additional and other assigned activities with other departments and outside
agencies and provides highly responsible and administrative support to the City Manager.
• Develops realistic and fiscally sound budget requests based on program need and
monitors budget expenditures to ensure they remain within budget allocation.
• Works with and attends City Council and other Board and Committee Meetings as
needed.
• Member of and attends conferences and workshops of applicable Texas EMS Director
Associations.
• Oversees the proper procurement of all purchases pursuant to applicable City and State
laws.
• Maintains a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Supervises shift supervisors, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, part-time staff,
and billing services administrative staff.
Qualifications
• Education and/or Experience — A minimum of an associate degree in emergency medical
technology technician, public administration, or related field, with a bachelors's degree
preferred. Licensed Paramedic Certification with the Texas Department of State Health
Services is required. Must have a minimum of ten (10) years' experience in emergency
medical services with progressively responsible experience in a variety of EMS functions
and at least five (5) years of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of
education and experience may be substituted for some of the above.
• Computer Skills — Microsoft Internet Explorer and other internet-based search engines;
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word processing
software; Microsoft Powerpoint; and Laserfiche document storage and retrieval
software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Licensed Paramedic Certification with the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Texas EMS Administrator of Record.
• Narcotics Control Officer.
• HIPAA Compliance Officer.
• EMS Custodian of Medical Records.
• Valid Class "C" Texas driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of modern emergency medical services methods, practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of administrative practices as it relates to EMS Departments;
• Knowledge of NIMS/ICS principles, concepts, and policies;
• Knowledge of Texas Department of State Health Services rules and regulations, as well as
local, state and federal rules and regulations;
• Ability to effectively communicate with subordinates, disseminate information and take
charge of situations which arise in the course of duty;
• Ability to lead, direct, delegate and distribute personnel;
• Ability to be self -motivated and willingness to take responsibility for the actions of
subordinates;
• Knowledge of employment practices, including recruitment, selection, retention and
evaluation of staff;
• Knowledge of human resource issues, budgeting, research, and evaluation techniques;
• Ability to direct, coordinate and review the work of operation divisions/departments;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate
on a daily basis with administrative, elected and appointed officials and the public with
courtesy, professionalism, civility and tact;
• Ability to plan for municipal needs;
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and interpret complicated reports and standards;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials,
employees, citizens, vendors and contractors;
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and ability to understand and work with State
and Federal Regulations, Departments, and Personnel;
• Ability to maintain composure and decision making skills under stress;
• Ability to maintain professionalism and civility in all interactions.
Physical Demands
• Physical ability to lift up to 100 pounds;
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time;
• Sensory demands typically require speaking, hearing, touching and seeing;
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard
or other office equipment;
• Requires occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching and pushing or pulling drawers
to retrieve files;
• Must have visual acuity to endure eye strain of working on a computer for extended
periods of time;
• Must be able to hear;
• Mobility required to inspect work of staff;
• Physical mobility needed for moving around a worksite for the purpose of monitoring
quality of work.
Work Environment
• Employee works in an office setting but must occasionally go out into the field to respond
to complaints or inspect work of staff;
• Must interact with upset citizens on occasion;
• Office climate is moderate; however in the field work temperatures can range from
extreme hot to extreme cold;
• During, but not limited to, emergency incidents, employee may be required to work
outdoors, in emergency scenes, around siren noise, flashing lights, and moving vehicles,
and walking on uneven or slippery surfaces;
• The position may require working around chemicals, blood and other potential hazardous
exposures;
• The position may require working in hazardous, dangerous, and/or stressful situations.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS, APPROVING RUSSELL G. THRASHER AS THE EMS DIRECTOR AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY MANAGER IN CONFORMANCE WITH
SECTION 23 OF THE CITY CHARTER; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Chapter 23 of the City Charter provides that the appointment of department
heads by the City Manager is subject to the approval of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended for appointment to the office of EMS
Director, Russell G. Thrasher; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the City Manager's appointment of Russell
G. Thrasher as the EMS Director for the City of Paris;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Russell G. Thrasher shall be and is hereby approved as the EMS Director of
the City of Paris, on the recommendation of the City Manager, and as a consequence of said approval
to serve as EMS Director, said approval to be in conformance with Section 23 of the City Charter, and
the aforesaid Russell G. Thrasher shall be and is hereby authorized and directed to perform any and
all responsibilities and obligations incident to the office of EMS Director.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 14th day of June, 2021, by the City Council of the City of
Paris, in regular session, following notice and publication as required by law.
Paula J. Portugal, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney