Hart County asks EMS director for plan after commissioners cite turnover and station closures

Hart County commissioners on June 23 directed the EMS director and county administrator to deliver a concrete staffing plan after an extended discussion that highlighted turnover, station closures and scheduling challenges.

Commissioner Dorsey described repeated staffing shortfalls and said the Gold Mine EMS station had been shut down on multiple recent days because crews were pulled to cover other calls. He told the board the county had three open EMS positions and additional personnel on medical leave, adding that the turnover creates overtime pressures and risks eroding service. Commissioners discussed pay, shift patterns (including 24‑hour rotations elsewhere), exit interviews the county recently began, and the need for better recruitment and retention strategies.

Board members suggested options including hiring an outside HR consultant to study retention and recruiting, partnering regionally with neighboring counties, or temporarily contracting for services to stabilize coverage. The board unanimously voted to require the EMS director and the county administrator to return at the next meeting with a plan that addresses vacancies, recruitment, retention and short‑term coverage options.

What happens next: the EMS director and county administrator will draft and present a plan at the next regular meeting; the plan may include consultant proposals, budget options for recruitment and retention, and short‑term coverage measures to prevent station closures.