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King William fire and EMS leaders seek $880,000 to fund 24/7 four-person staffing
Summary
County fire/EMS leadership asked the Board for $880,000 to pay for round‑the‑clock four‑person engine/ambulance staffing, citing missed unit movements and gaps in daytime coverage; the board will consider the request during the operating budget process.
A county fire and EMS representative asked the King William County Board of Supervisors for $880,000 in county funding to expand career staffing so two staffed apparatus (four-person crews) would be on duty 24 hours a day.
The presenter said the $880,000 request would increase the department’s budget by roughly $380,000 from current county support and would be used primarily to hire and sustain paid firefighters and medics to ensure an accredited staffing model. “Our request is a budget of $880,000,” the presenter told the board.
Officials described operational gaps in 2025 that the request is intended to address: the presenter said the department missed 67 unit movements since July and was unable to answer 26 calls during the year because of insufficient on‑duty staffing. The presenter said four‑person staffing materially changes outcomes on complex incidents — allowing crews to make entry, perform life‑saving procedures and reduce wait times for additional units.
Board members and attendees discussed mutual aid and cost‑sharing with neighboring jurisdictions. County members asked whether regional grant writing or assistance from the regional EMS council could offset local costs; presenters and Region 7 representatives said grant writing assistance is possible but would not fully replace ongoing operating funds.
The presenter emphasized standards and safety: he cited NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) expectations for in‑date turnout gear and described capital and operating needs such as replacement ambulances, training costs, and medication storage upgrades required by pharmacy/EMS rules.
No final appropriation was made at the meeting. County staff said they will fold the request into the operating budget and that supervisors will consider it during the budget development and appropriation process.
