Menu
Gala toasts 50 years of EMS in Putnam County
The history of emergency medical services in Putnam County wasn’t simply celebrated Saturday evening — it was present.
It was not simply current and recent paramedics and EMTs of Putnam County EMS who were in the house at the Prindle Institute for Ethics, but nearly 20 men and women who served either Putnam County Operation Life when it was founded in 1974 or its predecessor, the DePauw Fire Company, in the preceding years.
Representing the entire history of Putnam County Operation Life and Putnam County EMS was Leon Bell, who was a DePauw University student when OL was founded back in 1974 and has remained active with the organization in some capacity ever since, even as he rose through the
For the decades of dedication, Bell was honored for 50 years of service by Chief Kelly Russ.
Russ spoke of her personal history with “Harve” Bell (co-workers both at OL and Indianapolis EMS as well as having him as a teacher and mentor) before taking a moment to show Bell the impact he’s had in Putnam County and beyond.
“Harve, you are one of the main reasons I am standing up at this podium today, and for that, I thank you,” Russ said. “You mean so much to so many people in this room. You were instrumental in the beginning of Operation Life.
“At this time, I would ask anyone in the audience who has been taught by Harve to stand up and remain standing,” Russ said. “If there are members of the audience (who aren’t already standing up), and have worked with (not for) Harve, please stand up and remain standing. Now, if there are members of the audience who are not already standing, and have worked for Harve, please stand up and remain standing.”
No more than a handful of the attendees remained seated at this point.
“Harve, look around,” Russ said, “your dedication to EMS for 50 years helped build all of this, and we are just a little pocket of people in West Central Indiana — imagine what this room would look like if this was a statewide banquet. Leon ‘Harve’ Bell, will you please come to the front to receive your 50 Years of Service Award.”
Accepting the award, Bell didn’t make it about himself, just saying how happy he was to be a part of something bigger.
“It is something when all of these people gather for one common reason, that all of you work on an ambulance at some point in the history of Operation Life, the DePauw Fire Company and Putnam County EMS,” Bell said. “That really means something to the traditions, but more importantly, you all, going forward, go home and talk to the people who are in charge of services in your home community and tell them how important emergency medical services is.”
He then talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the ranks of EMTs and paramedics, particularly in rural locations, and asked people to be advocates in their home communities.
“You all as ambassadors of the history (of EMS) need to contact your representatives and advocate for EMS for better revenue, better pay for EMTs and paramedics,” Bell said. “For me, I’m just happy to have been part of this.”
Also honored for their years of service were Sam Steinhilber for 35 years; Sam Deaner for 20 years; and Kandi Collins, Katie Cummins, Kyle Flanagan, Ashley Green, Seth Green, Kylee Harrington, Martha Miller, Stanley “Joe” Thomas and Stefanie Thompson for five years.
All of these as well as Mackenzie Pride were honored with what Russ called the “Bridge Award,” for the service they provided in working for the former Operation Life and still provide as they continue to serve the agency.
“Without their hard work and dedication, the achievements and progress made during this critical period would not have been possible,” Russ said.
For context, Operation Life, which operated as a non-profit, ceased operations on Dec. 31, 2019 and was replaced by Putnam County EMS, a county-owned entity. Shortly thereafter, the executive director left the agency, and Russ along with Chief of Operations Anthony Taylor were hired in March 2020.
“Some of you might be wondering, ‘Why does March 2020 ring a bell?’” Russ deadpanned with more than a little irony. “Oh, you know, just a worldwide pandemic being declared as soon as we took office. No big deal, right?”
Yet EMS has survived in Putnam County thanks to the efforts of Russ, Taylor and their entire staff, allowing them to carry on the legacy of Bell and the other originals in attendance.
For that, State EMS Director Kraig Kinney (who had his own tenure as Operation Life director) presented the State EMS Director’s Award to the agency as a whole and to Russ individually.
Kinney spoke of how, as he travels around the state, he frequently finds himself using Putnam County as an example.
“The name changes, but something I’ve complimented the organization on is you’ve restored the spirit of brotherhood and the dedication to patient care,” Kinney said.
Receiving the Director’s Award on behalf of the organization, Russ invited the rest of the current staff up to accept it as well. However, Kinney wasn’t letting her off the hook so easily, noting that when he presented Taylor with the same award last year for his role in a rescue, he had it in his mind to honor Russ at some point.
“She’s always looking out for everyone else,” Kinney said.
As an example of that, Russ also presented Taylor with the Anchor Award steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the agency.
“Anthony, there’s nothing I could say to convey how instrumental you were, and continue to be, a major player in the success of this agency,” Russ said.
Besides awards, though, it was a night of remembering the past. All attendees received the first draft of “Stories of the First Responders,” an anthology of stories of the DePauw Fire Company (1967-76), Operation Life (1974-2019) and Putnam County EMS (2020-24).
Three men stood up to share stories from the early days.
Derrick Warner spoke of founding the DePauw Fire Company in the late 1960s, sharing memories of how there was no textbook on EMTs.
However a fellow founder, the late Doug Critchlow, reached out to the right people and began receiving the textbook chapter by chapter as it was being written.
“It was kind of amazing,” Warner recalled. “Here we were in rural Indiana, and we had the same information — or better information — as the rest of the country.”
Peter Fleck and David MacPherson, both of whom came later in the early OL days, showed the dedication of EMTs and other first responders, recalling all these years later calls that did not go well rather than the saves.
“Sometimes the accidents we encounter traumatize us as well,” Fleck said.
MacPherson, whose stories occupy much of the first draft of the anthology, also invited others to contribute to the collection that he wants to see grow. Stories or questions should be sent to MacPherson at macphersonds1@gmail.com.
The night concluded with a special announcement by Russ, who noted that the former Operation Life board was finally dissolved, with any lingering financial reason for it to exist now gone. Rather than rolling the remaining budget into the PC-EMS budget, they were instead utilized to establish the Operation Life Endowment with the Putnam County Community Foundation.
The endowment will provide scholarship opportunities for Putnam County EMS pursuing continuing education.
Donations may be made through PCCF or by contacting Russ at kelly.russ@co.putnam.in.us.
The plan is to continue to build on the legacy of EMS in Putnam County.
“Here’s to the next 50 years of service excellence in Putnam County,” Russ said.