Harvey heads EMS crew in Versailles

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VERSAILLES — Matthew “Matt” Harvey, who wanted to be a doctor when growing up, became Versailles EMS’s new full-time administrator at the first of the year.

Getting into design and manufacturing instead of following his medical dreams, he worked for Honda in Anna, but it wasn’t at all what he thought it was going to be, and then went to work for Fresh-Way Foods, but didn’t care for that kind of work. So he subsequently got into firefighting

Thus, he comes to Versailles from Anna Fire Department, where he still serves part-time as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief.

Harvey took over the administrative position at Versailles EMS after Jean Buxton retired after more than 20 years of service.

“I came here Dec. 1 and trained with Jean the whole month of December, and took over Jan. 1,” said Harvey, who has a staff of 18 at Versailles; 11 EMTs and seven paramedics.

He said he has been on the scene of fatal house fires, fatal accidents and a trench collapse in Anna.

“We [Anna] cover 13 miles of I-75,” said the administrator, who is the son of Terry and Cindy Harvey of Newark.

And, if that isn’t enough work for one man, he is also an educator.

The 35-year-old said he just finished his classes to become an EMS instructor this week, and he teaches at Clark Tech in Springfield.

Harvey, a 2000 Newark High School graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Kent State, said his main hobby is teaching.

“I enjoy it and anything outside,” he said. “I teach Level I fire in Botkins and am teaching initial classes and continued education for fire/EMS. My students are all new to fire.”

He himself went through Clark State Fire Academy and returned to teach there.

Hailing from Newark, Ohio, near Columbus, he got into firefighting nearly nine years ago. He volunteered at first in Anna in 2007 and he joined the rescue squad there in 2009.

“I was in private EMS for five years when the opportunity for chief at Anna came up, then this opportunity [at Versailles] showed up,” he said.

He said it has been a smooth transition here in Versailles.

“I answer to the village council and mayor, not to mention the taxpayers,” he said. “Everyone has welcomed me with open arms.”

Harvey still lives in Anna with Kayla, his bride since September. She is a registered nurse and is as busy as her husband, because, she too works at three jobs.

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By Linda Moody

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This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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