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Rockbridge supervisors set May 26 public hearing to codify fire and EMS reporting; volunteer warns of burden
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Summary
The board voted to set a May 26 public hearing to add language to county code requiring fire/EMS incident reporting into the national reporting platform; Chief Ramsey said the change codifies existing practice to protect locality aid, while a volunteer on the board warned the rule could ‘kill volunteerism.’
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted April 27 to set a public hearing for May 26 to add language to chapter 14, section 7 of the county code that would codify local fire and EMS reporting practices required to receive locality aid.
Chief Ramsey told the board that beginning in fiscal 2027 a new state regulation will require fire departments that respond to calls to report incidents into the national incident reporting platform (NIRS) and that the locality bears responsibility for ensuring agencies submit the reports. “What we’re presenting to you…is a request to put into code language in chapter 14 of our county code,” Chief Ramsey said, describing the proposal as a way to protect the county’s future aid disbursements.
Why it matters: The change ties eligibility for pass-through aid to documented reporting. Chief Ramsey said Rockbridge has already updated its ESO platform and is largely “up to speed” on the new reporting format; the proposed code language would make that process a county requirement and create a verification step so the county can pass funds through appropriately.
At the meeting a board member who volunteers as a responder warned the requirement could hamper recruitment and retention. “It really does…kill volunteerism,” the supervisor said, arguing that added paperwork and training create real burdens for volunteers who hold jobs and families off-duty.
Chief Ramsey and staff responded that many agencies already complete reports and that the new NIRS format is “a little bit” different but should be manageable. “These reports that you’re speaking of are reports that they’re already doing,” Chief Ramsey said.
The board voted unanimously to set the public hearing for May 26 to consider adding the language to chapter 14; staff told the board the county attorney and the Volunteer Fire and EMS Association had reviewed the draft and approved it without questions during prior committee meetings. The public hearing will be an opportunity for additional testimony and for the board to consider any amendments before returning the item for possible adoption.
Next steps: The board will hold the May 26 public hearing and then may vote on ordinance language after public comment and any staff revisions.
