Hernando County says it will end ALS funding agreement; county, city and fire chief stress no change in response services

Hernando County officials told the Brooksville City Council the county intends to terminate a long‑standing agreement that provided annual funding for Brooksville firefighter ALS certification, but county and county fire officials and Brooksville staff repeatedly assured council and residents that ALS response and ambulance transport in the area will not be interrupted.

Jeff Rogers, Hernando County administrator, said the county budgets about $45,000 annually for payments tied to the prior ALS support agreement and that the county has notified the city it intends to end that agreement as part of its budget review: "this year, the decision is that, this point to send a notification letter that we look to, terminate this agreement," Rogers said.

Rogers said the county would reconsider entering an agreement again if the City of Brooksville Fire Department becomes ALS certified: "if the city of Brooksville fire department becomes ALS certified…we would gladly do an agreement," he said, adding the county's budget support is pre‑paid by countywide EMS funding.

Operational clarification from fire chief Hernando County Fire Chief Paul Hasenmeier emphasized the practical effect for 911 response: "ALS services as we provide right now are unchanged for city of Brooksville. It's countywide ALS service with our rescues and ambulances, and all that service are will remain unchanged," he said. The chief explained engines in the county often carry paramedics and that the county's ambulance transport and rescue apparatus will continue to provide advanced care and transport.

What council asked for and next steps Council members asked whether terminating the payment would change response times or services; Chief Hasenmeier and Division Chief Chad Coates said Brooksville engines will continue to respond within the scope of their current certifications, and that the county's operations and mutual‑aid protocols would continue. Council members raised personnel and training questions, including precepting and how Brooksville personnel would enter county preceptor programs. Chief Hasenmeier said the county's preceptor and medical director arrangement could accommodate Brooksville candidates but that state licensure and local training programs must be established by the city for some elements.

Funding and training path Council members and county staff discussed options for Brooksville to pursue BLS or ALS licensure and what that would mean for transport and licensing under the Florida Department of Health EMS rules. Chief Hasenmeier noted the state does not formally recognize a BLS non‑transport service; ALS non‑transport is recognized by state licensure and requires specific program elements and agreements.

Council direction Council members expressed support for working with the county on training and operational cooperation; one council member said the city should find ways to fund firefighter paramedic training to reach ALS capability within about 18–20 months if feasible, while Chief Hasenmeier reiterated the county's offer to participate in joint training and to include Brooksville in county training programs. No formal council vote occurred on this item; staff and county officials agreed to continue negotiations and technical work to clarify licensing, preceptor lists and operational implications.

Ending The discussion clarified that, despite the county's notice about discontinuing the ALS funding agreement, county EMS response and transport services to Brooksville remain in place. The city and county said they will continue discussions about training, licensing and potential future agreements if Brooksville achieves ALS certification.