EMS asks for more paramedics, a training coordinator and new equipment as call volumes and costs rise

Davie County’s emergency medical services presented a package of personnel and capital requests at the Jan. 30 budget workshop, saying recent growth in call volume and interfacility transfers justify new crews and equipment.

EMS director Joseph told the board he is asking for eight additional paramedics to staff an added transport unit and four paramedics to staff a quick‑response vehicle on the county’s northwest corner, plus four EMTs for a non‑emergency transport unit and a dedicated training coordinator. "The first thing I want to talk about is adding additional 8 paramedic positions to make a 6 truck for the county," he said.

Joseph also requested three ambulance remounts (refurbishing boxes on a new chassis) rather than full new ambulances to reduce lead times and costs, and asked for updated cardiac monitors, public building AED replacements, updated radios/pagers and other field technology. He described an ongoing effort to bill for hospital transfers and said staff is continuing to work with Davie Medical Center on transport billing and approvals.

Cost pressure is a recurring theme: Joseph said modern monitors and defibrillators are substantially more expensive than older units, and vehicle lead times can stretch years for chassis and specialty equipment. He told the board he will provide detailed turnkey costs for the package after the meeting.

What happens next: EMS will supply itemized cost estimates and revenue projections for transport billing; county management will fold those numbers into the larger personnel and CIP conversations this spring.