Board weighs contracting EMS staffing and new Fire & EMS tax as county debates long‑term rescue funding

Emergency Service Solutions (ESS) representatives gave the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors a detailed run‑through of contract emergency medical services models on May 8, laying out staffing options and costs as county officials and local rescue organizations discussed how to stabilize 24/7 ambulance coverage.

An ESS presenter identified in the record as an ESS representative (co‑founder; speaker name not specified in the transcript) told the board ESS can provide custom staffing models — from part‑day/peak coverage to full 24‑hour staffing — and summarized pricing the company has used in other rural Virginia counties. ESS said its fully staffed 24/7 ALS staffing option would cost about $788,400 per year for one 24‑hour ambulance; a 12‑hour daily coverage model was listed at about $394,200 per year. ESS also quoted an hourly staffing rate of $90 per staffed ambulance hour and said starting pay for paramedics in its contracts is typically $26–$27 per hour, before benefits.

Josh Mullins, identified in the meeting as an ESS co‑founder, and Tyler Winrich, listed as ESS vice president of operations, accompanied the presentation and answered technical questions about hybrid staffing, recruiting, and contract length. The ESS representative said ESS contracts historically have ranged from short trial terms up to five to seven years in established partnerships.

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