Hampshire County EMS outlines plan to restore 24/7 Springfield coverage by September

County emergency medical services staff told the Hampshire County Commission on March 11 that Springfield will not have continuous overnight EMS coverage until the department can secure funding from a July fee increase and complete facility upgrades planned by September.

HCSA leadership reported recent fiscal work recovered missed EMS billing revenues and that a new staffing schedule has had "mostly positive impact." Chief Hamrick (HCSA Chief) said complaints have arisen because the Springfield station cannot be staffed overnight due to budget constraints and inadequate station facilities. He said daytime coverage runs when Romney/the volunteer rescue squad can provide staff; daytime staffing covers roughly 70 percent of Springfield call volume, while overnight calls are a minority.

Chief Hamrick said the county expects a fees increase to take effect July 1 and that revenue will begin arriving in mid-August; the department set a target of Sept. 1 to restore 24/7 staffing at Springfield. He said facility work is needed (bunkroom and shower) and that volunteers from Springfield or surrounding stations could help maintain overnight coverage in the interim. "If there is volunteers in the Springfield area...come join HCSA as a volunteer and help us staff it at nighttime," Chief Hamrick said, adding the county can support initial and recertification training under a SAMHSA grant while the grant remains active.

Commissioners thanked HCSA staff for the update and encouraged outreach to recruit volunteers and to continue planning for the facility upgrades and budget changes.