LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- One day after WDRB broke the story of filthy conditions at the Spencer County EMS headquarters, we receive answers from the people in charge on what they're doing to fix the problem.
Video shows medical supplies near mouse droppings, suspected mold or mildew on bedroom walls, and the floor so weak in areas that it has given way to a gaping hole.
WDRB's Gilbert Corsey asked Spencer County EMS Director Darrell Stevens, "How did it get this bad and how are you letting your guys live like this?"
Stevens replies, "I don't think it happened all at once. It was a period of time, the holes, and when the new administration took over they were made aware of what kind of shape the facilities were in. We had a five-year plan that we drew up."
County Judge Executive Bill Karrer say he takes full responsibility for the deplorable conditions there and is now taking action: "It wasn't that the situation was ignored, it was that bottom line is, I simply didn't know it had deteriorated to the point that it was." He ordered all the EMS medical supplies and living quarters moved to a vacant space above the county sheriff's office.
"I'm sure they probably had mice running across their feet," says Environmental Director David Cammack. The Spencer County Health Department issued a notice of nuisance, saying the problems there are a violation. "There is a possibility for salmonella," Cammack said, "and I did talk to the EMS Director -- all equipment was checked, no sign of mice tampering or chewing."
But the reprimand didn't go to EMS, rather the county recycling center next door, where garbage was piled outside. The last of the trash was piled up out there and hauled into a dumpster. The thinking was that it will stop the mice from the recycling center from getting into the EMS office.
The problem all came to light with Lawrence Trageser's video, and he wondered, "If we can come to a solution like this in less than 48 hours, why wasn't this addressed a year ago or even longer?"
EMS Director Stevens admitted none of that would have happened it there hadn't been a news report on it. Officials have a $14,000 repair estimate for the current EMS headquarters, but they're unsure if they're going to move forward with it or go ahead with tentative plans already in place to take over the old Agriculture extension office once their new building is complete.
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