Chief Bailey, Northumberland County’s EMS chief, told the Board of Supervisors that chronic vacancies and comparatively low pay are forcing staff departures, increasing mandatory overtime and risking reductions in service. "The field providers in Northumberland County are underpaid, at least compared to other organizations and jurisdictions in the region, resulting in them, unfortunately, seeking employment elsewhere," Bailey said during a board briefing.

Bailey said the department’s ideal staffing level is 20 full‑time field providers (five per shift) but that, as of the briefing, the county had roughly 13 full‑time field staff (including five ALS/paramedic providers), eight BLS providers and seven vacancies. He described the department’s minimum staffing threshold of 16 and explained how a quick‑response vehicle and surge staffing are used when ambulances need assistance.

The chief described a three‑part operational strain: uncovered shifts that force use of overtime, rising mandatory overtime leading to staff burnout, and the corresponding risk to public safety if providers become fatigued. "Working them up to 72 hours is our cap," Bailey said, noting that extended hours increase liability and decrease morale.

Board members and the chief discussed pay and recruitment details. Bailey presented four compensation options: implement previously proposed October pay rates on Jan. 1 (estimated additional salary cost about $130,079.30); delay implementation to July (about $260,158.60); a 10% across‑the‑board hourly increase (roughly $40,000 in the salary line plus an estimated $12,000 for part‑time lines); and reorganizing shifts to a 15‑person, three‑shift model that could reduce FTEs but would interact with federal overtime rules and likely raise overtime costs. Bailey described the 10% option as “more manageable” and said it would bring many EMT base hourly equivalents closer to regional averages.

The board pressed operational and recruitment questions. Members suggested building a local pipeline through school outreach and community college programs; Bailey said paramedic certification pathways commonly take about three years and pointed to Rappahannock (RCC) and other regional programs. He also described internal measures already taken: raising part‑time availability requirements (36 hours/month), a three‑month inactivity limit for part‑timers, updated mandatory‑overtime scheduling for 2026, targeted advertising (a recent Facebook ad generated roughly 7,200 views) and several recent part‑time offers.

On funding options, Bailey outlined potential offsets: delaying vehicle replacements in the capital improvement plan, drawing on EMS billing revenue and evaluating fringe‑benefit impacts. He told the board the department averages about $30,000 in EMS billing receipts per month and that the Northern Neck Planning District Commission handles billing and returns collections minus a 5% service fee; however, Bailey said a detailed breakdown (insurance vs. self‑pay, call counts) was not in his briefing and that staff would provide those numbers at a later date.

County staff also reported that the board had asked about increasing the Virginia Retirement System hazardous‑duty multiplier from 1.7% to 1.85% for EMS and law enforcement; staff recommended waiting for updated rate information early next year because the change would be permanent and would materially affect the FY27 budget.

After discussion, the board moved to convene a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters; the motion was seconded and approved. The board later verified by roll call that only permitted topics were discussed in closed session and adjourned. The board asked staff to return with clarifying leave policy and compensation numbers next week so supervisors can consider which pay option or combination to adopt.