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Fire and EMS report sustained surge in calls; chiefs urge planning for staffing and capital upgrades
Summary
Fredericksburg Fire/EMS and county responders reported a 14–18% year‑to‑date increase in call volume, a rise in EMS transfers, more hazardous‑materials and brush incidents, and looming capital needs including replacement ambulances, self‑contained breathing apparatus and power‑load systems.
Fredericksburg Fire/EMS and county emergency planners told city and county elected officials on Aug. 27 that call volume has risen sharply this fiscal year and is straining staffing, overtime budgets and vehicle uptime.
The department presented month‑by‑month data showing an 18.5 percent increase in call volume over two years and a 14.3 percent increase in the current fiscal year compared with the same period last year. Fire chiefs said EMS transfers account for roughly half the increase in workload and that EMS calls represent about 80–85 percent of total calls. Chiefs also reported an uptick in hazardous‑materials calls and brush fires; brush incidents this…
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