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Amelia County moves to expand career Fire & EMS staffing; $311,000 CIP transfer approved
Summary
County emergency-management staff presented a plan to add three career 24‑hour crews (18 full‑time staff) to boost EMS coverage; supervisors approved a $311,000 transfer from a radio CIP to fund start‑up gear and an ambulance payment and directed phased hiring beginning this fall.
Emergency-management staff presented a staffing plan July 16 asking the Amelia County Board of Supervisors to move from a largely contracted model to a hybrid career-and-volunteer model aimed at reducing response times and increasing weekly coverage.
"To do this, it would require 18 new staff," said Emerson, the presenter, describing a model of three 24‑hour platoons with six people on duty each day supplemented by volunteers and part‑time staff. The plan would phase hires (six in October, six in January, six by March) and retain volunteer participation.
Emerson said the proposed model increases coverage hours by roughly 50% and that a mixed fire/EMS staffing approach avoids large overtime costs imposed by federal work‑hour limits for EMS‑only personnel. Supervisors and residents pressed staff on deployment, hospital destinations for transfers, and whether stations can accommodate overnight sleeping for career staff.
Several supervisors voiced support for proceeding quickly. The board approved a $311,000 transfer of leftover radio CIP funds to a new Fire & EMS CIP to cover start‑up capital needs, including equipment and a final ambulance payment. A motion to reallocate $311,000 passed by hand-raise vote.
The presentation included cost and implementation planning with human resources and finance; staff noted hiring pace will depend on recruitment and the capacity of HR to onboard personnel. Emerson said some stations have accepted career staffing assistance while others have declined; the initial staffing map will place crews where they will most improve response times.
Next steps: staff will proceed with phased hires, continue coordination with finance and human resources on pay and scheduling, and bring formal procurement and personnel actions as needed.
