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Wilkes County ends Rescue Review Board, authorizes interim emergency services oversight and study
Summary
The Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the county's 2013 Rescue Review Board protocol, authorized the County Manager with EMS and the Fire Marshal to inspect and provisionally approve rescue-service applications, and directed a study to design a long-term emergency-response system.
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 17 to terminate the Rescue Review Board Protocol dated May 21, 2013, and to authorize an interim administrative process for approving rescue services while the county studies permanent changes to emergency response organization.
County Attorney Tony Triplett read the motion, saying the vote would "put into place a system that would temporarily take the place of the Rescue Review Board" and allow the County Manager to consult with EMS and the Fire Marshal to study the most effective future model for medical, rescue, fire and first-responder services.
Under the approved interim process, rural volunteer fire departments that wish to provide rescue services beyond previously approved levels must apply to the county. The County Manager, EMS staff and the Fire Marshal are authorized to inspect applicants, review compliance with the standards previously required in secondary-provider rescue contracts, and make recommendations to the board. The County Attorney was authorized to draft new rescue-service contracts for departments that receive first-time approval or that previously had secondary-provider contracts.
David Holbrook, representing EMS, told the board staff had already visited nine fire departments and "reinspected their equipment just to make sure everything was up to par"; Fire Marshal Chris Hicks said the inspections had taken several days and the departments inspected "are all good to go." Chair Shirley B. Randleman confirmed calls are being responded to during the interim period.
Vice Chairman Bill Sexton moved the termination and interim-authority motion; Commissioner Casey Johnson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The board directed the County Manager to lead a broader study of how Wilkes County should provide comprehensive emergency response going forward and to bring recommendations back to the board for consideration.
