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Supervisor raises concerns about volunteer EMS shortage after resident’s delayed care
Summary
A supervisor warned the Board that volunteer emergency services are declining and recounted a resident’s death following a long wait for rescue; no formal action was taken but supervisors highlighted workforce and coverage issues in rural areas such as Montvale.
A supervisor told the Board of Supervisors that Bedford County faces a worsening volunteer emergency services shortage and recounted a recent case in the Montvale area where a resident waited about 45 minutes for rescue and later died after hospitalization.
The supervisor said callers told him a woman’s husband suffered a heart attack in Montvale and it took roughly 45 minutes for a rescue vehicle to arrive. “This wouldn’t have happened had Bedford had or Montvale had sufficient fire and EMS,” he said, adding that Montvale’s volunteer unit has only three members and they are spread out.
Board members discussed that the county is growing but volunteer ranks are not, and one member mentioned a private paid emergency services company observed near a racetrack. The comments were made during the board‑comment portion of the meeting; the transcript records concern about recruiting and coverage but does not show any formal motion, directive, or immediate policy change.
Supervisors later described upcoming workforce and school partnership events (reverse career fair, job fair, career and technical education signing day) intended to connect students with employers; county staff highlighted these events as part of broader workforce development and recruitment efforts.
