Five new Florence Fire/EMS Department members took their oaths at the July 28 City Council meeting, adding three firefighter/EMTs and two paramedics to the department.
Charles Woodring, Stephen (Matt) Combs, and Collin Crowley joined as firefighter/EMTs. Kathryn Cheap and Kaitlyn Walton were sworn in as paramedics. Family members were present in the council chambers at 8100 Ewing Blvd. for the ceremony, presided over by Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon with all six council members in attendance, according to a recap of the meeting.
The new hires bring a mix of military, volunteer, and academic backgrounds to the department. Walton has served as a combat medic in the Kentucky Army National Guard since 2019 and worked three years as an EMT in Dearborn County, Indiana before earning her paramedic certification from Gateway Community & Technical College in December 2025. Combs has volunteered with the Williamstown Fire Department since 2014. Crowley previously served with Union Fire District, and Woodring, a former Covington Fire cadet, completed the Fire Academy of Kentucky in November 2025. Cheap earned a bachelor's degree in Emergency Medical Care/Fire Science Engineering from Eastern Kentucky University in December 2025 after working for Mason County EMS.
E-bike enforcement challenges
A lengthy discussion on juvenile e-bike and e-scooter safety followed after Councilmember Lesley Chambers referenced a recent incident in nearby Union where a child was struck by a vehicle.
Police Chief Jeff Mallery told the council that current enforcement tools are limited. No specific ordinance prohibits reckless bicycle operation on roadways, he said, and officers cannot cite behavior they did not personally witness. When officers do cite a minor, the process routes through the Court Designated Worker system rather than conventional court.
"Citing a 12-year-old does not result in a conventional court appearance — the juvenile is directed instead to the Court Designated Worker system, which requires parental involvement and can consume significant officer time," Mallery said.
The department's preferred approach, Mallery explained, is stopping young riders on the spot to educate them about safety rules, reserving formal citations for repeat offenders or dangerous conduct.
Looking ahead, the department is developing bicycle-safety instruction for the Teen Academy and Citizens Police Academy and examining whether similar content can fit into the D.A.R.E. program for fifth-graders.
Survey and county coordination
Council members reached consensus to launch a no-cost public survey on alternative mobility vehicles, including e-bikes, e-scooters, golf carts, and UTVs, through social media, the city website, and press releases. No formal ordinance was introduced.
City Manager Josh Hunt told the council that Boone County Fiscal Court is expected to address alternative mobility vehicles in late September or early October, with no legislative action anticipated before year-end.
The council favored education and targeted enforcement over broad prohibitions. Chambers asked what steps the city could take to "untie the hands of officers so they can effectively perform their duties."
The next public safety community event is National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Florence Government Center, featuring a grill-out dinner, department displays, and a Liberty Tree dedication at 6:15 p.m. The full meeting is available on YouTube.
