Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Ems topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council and residents raise ambulance staffing and volunteer EMS funding concerns amid town growth
Summary
Multiple speakers at the March 24 meeting urged attention to ambulance coverage and volunteer EMS funding as new development and population growth continue; council said the county is preparing a report and the town will monitor solutions.
Councilmembers and several residents used the March 24 meeting to raise concerns about ambulance availability, volunteer staffing and funding for emergency medical service (EMS) coverage as Georgetown grows.
Councilmember Peniel and other council members said the town’s ambulance service is strained at night when units can be down to a single ambulance, and that increasing calls and population growth could worsen response times. One councilmember described ongoing county work to compile a report and potential funding mechanisms to support ambulance services; the council asked staff to stay informed about county recommendations. In council and public comments, speakers warned that if volunteer services continue to lose personnel, the county or private operators could assume ambulance service, with implications for cost and local control.
Residents testifying during the Sussex Pines rezoning hearing linked EMS capacity concerns to potential new development on Sussex Pines Road, saying more homes and a nearby large school or church could increase demand for ambulance responses.
Town staff and council described prior interventions to support local volunteer providers, including financial transfers and assistance with revenue collection for ambulance billing. Councilmembers said they are coordinating with county officials to evaluate longer‑term solutions and cautioned about the budgetary impacts if volunteer services move to paid staffing.
No formal policy decision was made at the March 24 meeting; council directed staff to monitor the county report and return recommendations as available.
