Appling to retire from El Campo EMS
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

El Campo EMS Director Steve Appling announced his retirement plans Monday the same way he's always run his department - with a family approach.

EMTs were told to gather at 10 a.m. circling a table in the station's meeting room. Laughing, they shared jokes of "the round table" and updates on family news until the boss came through the doors.

It got quiet then - especially when Appling said his last day would be June 30.

"I've thought about this a long time," he said. "I'm tired of 24 hours a day since 1971."

And there's grandchildren to spend time with, he added.

The city of El Campo has only had two EMS directors since the department's formation Sept. 1, 1971. The first was Herman Novak - a man credited with teaching basic medical skills to thousands across South Texas as ambulance service developed. Novak was inducted into the Texas Department of Health's EMS Hall of Fame in November 1998. He died in September 1999.

Appling, who started as a volunteer, earned the director's post in 1989. Focusing on grant work and advanced training under his leadership, the department collected in excess of $1 million in non-taxpayer financed equipment while going from basic to advanced care.

El Campo EMS now operates at the Mobile Intensive Care Unit level - the highest Texas EMS standard.

"The job is not always easy - it's never easy. It's dealing with everything from heavy trauma to taxi rides, but that's EMS," Appling said. "But we've always moved forward. The advancements we've made in the last few years are astronomical. And we've been recognized in the state. So let's move forward."

..................................In 2001, Appling was named the state Administrator of the Year - selected from 1,300 operating departments.

"It's a great honor," he said of collecting the award. "But I would have liked to have seen the service honored. We're a team."

Teamwork, family and unity aren't buzzwords in the department.

"We're a family. We're close," Appling said. "We've grown up together. I've seen wives come and go. I've seen children come and go.

"And I wanted you to know I was going to go first," he told his crew. "It's not easy, but it's time." ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................The department works with medical director Dr. Ron Goelzer to keep up with training and procedures. Goelzer volunteers his time and skills.

He will likely continue as medical director, Appling said, but added the doctor wants to be involved in the process to select the next EMS chief.

"He wants it (the naming of the next director) to be in-house and I do too," Appling said.

Paramedic Greg Pasak said the people of El Campo need to realize how fortunate they have been to have just two directors during the history of EMS.

"We need to stay intact and keep our unity," he said. "For 30 something years, we've been way above and beyond what other people do. The next director's goal should be to match what he's doing."

"We hate to see you go, but

.......................................................... we understand," Paramedic

Gerald Ripple said to an echo ..........................................................

of well wishes.

..........................................................

Paramedic Ben Altenhoff

has been with El Campo EMS ........................................................

since 1981. ........................................................

"Steve saw the need to

........................................................ advance care in the field," he

said. "There are people walking ........................................................ around today that wouldn't be

...................................................... if we hadn't gone to an advance

level of care. He has faith in us ........................................................ to do what paramedics do."

.......................................................... Appling also serves as the

city's emergency management ........................................................ coordinator.

........................................................