EMS director fired
After months of frustration between Marion County Commission and Emergency Medical Services Director Darryl Thiesen, the situation finally came to a head Monday when the commission fired Thiesen.
On Sept. 25, Thiesen was placed on six months probation by the commission for unknown personnel reasons. In the end, it was apparent the commission was not pleased with Thiesen's job performance.
Commissioner Randy Dallke made the motion that the county was "no longer in need of Darryl Thiesen as ambulance director." Commission Chairman Dan Holub seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.
Prior to the announcement the commission held a 15-minute executive session with Thiesen and then held a five-minute session without him. The discussion was halted and reconvened at 1 p.m. because of agenda constraints.
Following a five-minute executive session at 1 p.m. to discuss personnel without Thiesen being present, the commission reconvened and made the motion. Prior to the motion, Dallke said the county was an "at will" employer which means an employee is employed at the will of the employer for as little or long as the employer wishes. An employer does not have to provide any reason for terminating an "at will" employee as long as the termination isn't unlawful or discriminatory.
As an employee on probation, the term indicates that the employee must successfully pass the trial or probationary period to earn the rights held by non-probationary employees.
The termination was effective immediately.
Thiesen was hired in October 2003.
Larsen named temporary director
Marion County Commission met in special session Tuesday afternoon and after a 15-minute executive session, named Larry Larsen of Peabody as temporary EMS director, effective immediately.
Larsen retired from Sedgwick County EMS and is a paramedic. He has been a volunteer with Peabody EMS for 19 years.
He will be paid $17.50 per hour and will work a 40-hour work week. Larsen's rate of pay is commensurate with the amount paid to Thiesen.
