Wicomico County hears EMS task force SWOT: chiefs and staff back a 1-paramedic/1-BLS model but funding and recruitment remain hurdles

Wicomico County officials, fire chiefs and emergency services staff reviewed recommendations from an EMS task-force SWOT analysis during a county work session, and the Wicomico Fire Chiefs Association expressed unanimous support for an option that staffs each station with one paramedic and one basic life-support provider.

The SWOT presented two primary options: option A (a chase-unit concept with two EMTs in each station plus three county-operated paramedic chase vehicles) and option B (a 1-paramedic/1-BLS provider in each station). Chiefs and staff discussed cost estimates, equipment needs, recruitment constraints and implementation priorities.

Why this matters: Emergency medical response is a core public-safety service. The county's choice of staffing model affects response times, budget planning and how county and volunteer fire departments coordinate care and billing.

Key findings and discussion

- Staffing estimates and constraints: The SWOT estimated option B (1-and-1) would require roughly 100 advanced life-support paramedics and about 100 EMTs to staff countywide 24/7 coverage; option A (chase-unit with EMTs in stations) would require…