NEW ALBANY: PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE

PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE

HOSPITAL WAIT TIMES IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY

Late in October, Mayor Jeff Gahan met with Baptist Health Floyd President Michael Schroyer to discuss ambulance services and 911 response times, among other items. Mayor Gahan and Mr. Schroyer had a very productive meeting, and early reports indicate that hospital wait times and ambulance drop-off times have returned to a much more-acceptable timeframe. At the meeting, Mayor Gahan asked Mr. Schroyer if additional ambulances would expedite services, however, Baptist Health Officials did not have any issue with ambulance availability inside the service area of Baptist Floyd in New Albany.

Baptist Health disputed AMR’s original 5 hour drop-off time claim. Regardless, the City of New Albany can now confirm that current drop-off times for ambulances at Baptist Health Floyd have been reduced to just about 15 minutes. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey has been in contact with AMR Ambulance Service leadership and they also confirm that wait times have been reduced to under 15 minutes.

“I want to thank Baptist Health Floyd President Michael Schroyer for meeting regarding wait times and ambulance response times,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We are very pleased that hospital wait times have returned to normal. We will continue monitoring the situation, and we look forward to moving past these temporary problems associated with COVID-19.”

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY NEEDS

Reports in the News and Tribune indicated that Floyd County officials are planning to renovate the former City-County Building located at 311 Hauss Square, but their plans don’t include space for the New Albany Police Department, even though the NAPD has been stationed there for decades.

According to statements made by Floyd County Building Authority Member Scott Stewart, “the Building Authority’s recommendation was to put the probation offices in the adjoining Frank C. Denzinger Criminal Justice Building, which is now occupied by the New Albany Police Department and the Sherriff’s Department.” Stewart also stated that it “would be appropriate for the county to consider getting the space back.”

Given these statements, Mayor Gahan, along with Councilpersons Bob Caesar and Jason Applegate (Public Safety Chair) recommended that the Public Safety Committee take a look at facility needs for the New Albany Police Department. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey remarked at a recent City Council meeting that the Floyd County-owned space currently utilized by the Police Department is in disrepair and is not large enough to meet future needs of the New Albany Police Department. Public Safety Committee members began analyzing the need for a new Police Headquarters.

“A new Police Headquarters would give us the opportunity to improve, train, and equip our public safety officers with the tools and capabilities a modern police force requires,” stated NAPD Chief Todd Bailey. “As the field of policing continues to evolve, a new space would also allow New Albany to have a facility that can host and dispatch mental health experts and other specialty community-based needs.”

NEW PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS SWORN IN

The New Albany Police Department is currently hiring both experienced and new recruits! Two new police recruits were sworn in recently, and another two are expected to be sworn in later this week.

Are you interested in serving your city as a Police Officer? Applications are open through midnight on December 1st. Applications can be found at newalbanycityhall.com

IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY: New Officer Sworn In Today

IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY: The New Albany Police Department welcomed another new recruit this morning. Mayor Jeff Gahan was pleased to swear in Mr. Trey Harrison as a new Police Officer with the NAPD. Mr. Harrison graduated from Whitefield Academy in Louisville in 2017. Mr. Harrison has experience in electrical work and has also held positions with the Post Office. He played All-State baseball in 2017 and has been involved in Martial Arts for over 13 years.

“New Albany is a very safe and friendly City, and I’m proud to welcome another officer to our ranks that will help us improve public safety in our River City,” stated Police Chief Todd Bailey.

“’I was very pleased to welcome Mr. Trey Harrison to the New Albany Police Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “New Albany is lucky to have such wonderful individuals stepping up to serve and protect our City.”

Are you looking to serve your community? The New Albany Police Department is hiring both experienced and new officers! Applications are open through midnight on December 1st. Applications can be found at https://newalbanycityhall.com/police-applications

VSIMPLE CHOOSES NEW ALBANY FOR HEADQUARTERS & EXPANSION

VSIMPLE CHOOSES NEW ALBANY FOR HEADQUARTERS & EXPANSION

Vsimple recently announced their intentions to relocate their Headquarters to downtown New Albany to a facility at 318 East Fourth Street and invest $1.8 million over the next five years in improvements, lease payments, equipment, hardware, and software.

Tech firm Vsimple, a leader in the Software as a Service (SaaS) space, provides end-to-end systems for manufacturers and distributors encompassing record management, internal coordination, customer communication and data insights.

The move will create 70 full-time, salaried positions over the next four years, with a focus on research and development, sales and marketing, and customer success.  These are high-paying, salaried positions, with compensation well above the average for Floyd County.

“We’re very excited to expand to establish our new headquarters in southern Indiana,” said Buddy Bockweg, CEO of Vsimple. “We were looking for a location that would allow us to grow aggressively and attract top talent as we continue to build our SaaS platform.  The State of Indiana, the City of New Albany, and One Southern Indiana have been critical in making this important decision for our company’s future a simple one.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is offering Vsimple up to $1,100,000 in Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits which may be certified over a period of up to ten years. These incentives are based on the expected creation of 70 net new full-time positions for eligible Hoosiers.  The company also requested $120,000 in training grants at today’s  New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting.

“I am proud to welcome Vsimple to New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We will continue to work hard to improve the environment for residents and businesses here in our River City. Best of luck to our friends at Vsimple.”

Mayor Gahan Appoints 3rd Generation Firefighter as Deputy Chief

MAYOR GAHAN APPOINTS 3RD GENERATION FIREFIGHTER AS DEPUTY CHIEF 

Tim Kron, a 34-year firefighter with the New Albany Fire Department has been appointed as the new Deputy Fire Chief after Deputy Chief Gadd recently retired.

Mr. Kron joined the New Albany Fire Department in 1987, and has served in multiple roles with the department. In the New Albany Fire Department, Mr. Kron has served as a captain, as well as EMS Battalion Chief. He had previous experience working in the emergency room at Floyd Memorial Hospital, and has been serving with the Floyd County Health Department as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. Tim Kron has been instrumental in implementing the local COVID-19 vaccination program.

Mr. Kron is a 3rd generation firefighter with the New Albany Fire Department. His grandfather served as Chief of the department before his retirement, and Mr. Kron’s father retired as an assistant chief. Tim has 3 children – 2 daughters and 1 son, who is now a fourth-generation firefighter with New Albany.

“I welcome Tim Kron’s experience and expertise to the Deputy Chief’s job in the New Albany Fire Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I appreciate him stepping up to this vitally important role in service to the Fire Department and to the citizens of New Albany.”

Please help welcome this dedicated public servant to his new role as Deputy Chief of the New Albany Fire Department. Congratulations Tim Kron!

Leaf Season Begins

Leaf season has begun, and the New Albany Stormwater Department will be running extended hours on the leaf removal and recycling program this week. Leaves are falling throughout the city, and crews are working to remove the fallen leaves before they enter our water ways, causing potential contamination or localized flooding.

The Stormwater Department will collect leaves piled in the right of way next to the street. Please do not pile leaves in curbs, gutters, or the street, as this can enter the stormwater system and cause blockages. Additionally, residents can place up to 10 trash bags of leaves out that will be collected during normal trash days.

Best of all, by bunching leaves in the right of way for the City to collect, you can help the turn those leaves into something useful. Leaves picked up by the City’s leaf program are recycled and processed into mulch and fertilizers to be used in the future.

Thank you for your assistance as we work to make our city even more clean and beautiful. For additional information, and to learn exactly when crews will be in your area, please call the Stormwater Department at 812-945-1989.