Chiefs urge shifting funds to raise Front Royal station staffing amid Chester Gap mutual‑aid costs

Fire and rescue leadership asked the Warren County Board of Supervisors May 13 to shift available funds to increase daily minimum staffing at the Front Royal (Station 1) response station from three to four personnel, saying the change would reduce missed responses in the Front Royal district.

Deputy Chief Jerry (presentation lead) said Station 1 covered 14.59 square miles, roughly 5,943 addresses and an estimated population of 15,700, and that in calendar year 2024 the station responded to 4,266 incidents. He reported 429 calls for service that Front Royal could not cover from within its response district and showed data mapping call distribution countywide. The Chester Gap staffing arrangement — begun in 2020 using CARES Act and ARPA funds and now budgeted as a contribution from the county — responded into Warren County and has historically been cost‑shared (the presentation showed a 60/40 Warren/Rappahannock share based on Chester Gap’s volume into Warren County).

"We would cross‑staff that station, staffing either two medic units or one medic unit and the fire truck/rescue squad based off of call volumes," Deputy Chief Jerry said, describing the plan to reduce pressure on units that now must be moved frequently to cover call concentrations. Fire Chief (name not provided) said the proposal is an attempt to allocate scarce resources where call data shows the greatest need: "This is our advocation moving ahead," he said.

Board members from more rural districts questioned the potential effect of concentrating resources in Front Royal and expressed concern that upscaling Station 1 could reduce coverage in outlying areas. Chiefs noted the plan uses existing funds and mutual‑aid relationships would remain in place; Chester Gap’s leadership has been engaged in discussion. No formal board decision was recorded at the meeting; fire leadership said the staffing request will factor into upcoming budget deliberations.

Why it matters: The proposal would change on‑the‑ground staffing and resource distribution for emergency response, affecting response times and mutual‑aid patterns across the county. It also ties into budget choices and the county’s long‑term plan for paid staff versus volunteer-supported coverage.

Next steps: Fire leadership will continue to present data and incorporate feedback during the budget process; supervisors did not take immediate formal action at the meeting.