(KAIR)--The process of hiring a new director for a County-run ambulance service was the key focus Friday for the Atchison County Ambulance Advisory Board.

The board met to iron out the details of what County Commissioner Eric Noll, serving as proxy for board member County Commissioner Bill Pohl, calls a critical position.

According to the preliminary position summary, the Director will be responsible for managerial, administrative, supervisory and specialized work functions of the Emergency Medical Services Department.

Along with approving the job description for the position, which will now be addressed by the Atchison County Commission, the advisory board established additional criteria for the role, with the Commission to have the final say on the recommendations.

Among them is requiring the Director to reside within 30 minutes of the County's main EMS office, and, if the individual hired doesn't meet that criteria, 12 months will be allowed to make the move.

The application process is underway, and will remain open through October 7th.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter Friday outlined the process for the hiring, saying the field of applicants will be reviewed by the Commission, and ultimately narrowed to three finalists.

Those finalists will then undergo interviews by three separate panels, comprised, in part of Ambulance Advisory Board members.

A timeline for the process is not yet established.

Words of gratitude for current ambulance provider, Techs Inc., and all of its employees, were stated during Friday's meeting. Although an application process for paramedics and EMT's will begin once the Director is hired, it's likely, as discussed Friday, that some current staff will choose to pursue continuing to work with the County's EMS.

The County Commission last week voted to end the contract with Techs Inc, effective January 31st.

Cost savings have been cited as goal of making the change.