New EMS chief Olwin ‘busy’

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

Robert Olwin, the new chief of EMS in London, came from Silvercreek Township in Greene County and brings 27 years experience to the position.

New EMS chief Robert Olwin has been a busy man since taking over for Steve Scaggs, who retired.

To wit, his appointment with this reporter for interview had to be rescheduled because, at the appointed time, he and his team of medics were called out to an auto accident.

“It’s been busy the whole time I’ve been here,” Olwin said. “We do quite a bit.”

To this busy station, Olwin, 59, brings 27 years experience. Most recently he came from Silvercreek Township in Greene County, where he served as EMS chief.

To that position he had worked his way through the ranks. He began as a volunteer “on the fire side” with Silvercreek. Then he took on driving a medic unit. Eventually he trained to be a basic EMT, a level he stayed at for four years. With more training he became an intermediate EMT.

Over the course of his first 15 years of EMT service Olwin became committed to helping people in times of distress. He then enrolled at Sinclair Community College in Dayton took instruction to become a paramedic.

When he read the ad for Scaggs’ position, something inside Olwin induced him to apply.

“I was looking for something new and different and saw the ad,” he said.

Olwin, who shadowed Scaggs prior to the latter’s departure, said the transition has been smooth. Olwin said he has received good cooperation from his lieutenants. The staff, a combination of full time and part time personnel, he said are well trained “know what to do and they do it.”

On the equipment side Olwin feels the department is in good shape, but would like to add Lifepak 15s to the cupboard. They are units used to monitor heart and respiratory functions in patients which may have cardiac or respiratory issues.

As it has turned out, the geographic location, from near Jamestown to London, has been a plus. His fiancee, an attorney, was recently re-located from the firm’s office in Dayton to its office in Columbus.

“It worked out good for both of us,” he said.

When not on duty, Olwin enjoys the company of his four grandchildren, playing golf and following NASCAR.