Comment on Fort Bend EMS chief steps down after four decades

Kosler, who retired on Friday as director of emergency medical services, was among the first certified paramedics in the county and one of the longest-serving members of the ambulance program created in 1972. In recent years, he led the department through staffing and legal challenges, including a federal investigation and civil lawsuit by employees related to county miscalculations of overtime that left paramedics underpaid. The county introduced a community paramedicine program, which sends paramedics on house calls to frequent EMS clients with the goal of helping them identify more proactive approaches to their health and keep ambulances focused on dire emergencies. Kosler repeatedly talked about the bonds he built with fellow paramedics and later as director when sharing memories from his career. Because of the 24/7 schedule and frequent overtime, paramedics often spend a third or more the year on the job, which Kosler noted is more than he spent with some of his closest friends outside work.