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Hicksville council discusses EMS staffing shortages and possible out-of-town billing
Summary
Village emergency medical services leaders told council they are seeing higher call volumes and staffing gaps; officials said a neighboring provider may bill Hicksville for runs when local EMTs are unavailable and seven firefighters are enrolled in EMT training expected to qualify in March 2025.
Hicksville’s council spent significant time on Oct. 21 hearing from emergency services leaders about rising call volumes and shortfalls in local staffing.
EMS Chief Bruce Silcott told council the service has handled 580 calls so far this year, up from 539 in 2023, and recorded 12 calls over the preceding weekend for a total of 47 calls in the month. Silcott said he is facing a personal health issue — ongoing back problems — and will undergo five weeks of therapy, with surgery a possibility if therapy is ineffective. He said he would keep council informed of any staffing impacts tied to his treatment.
Council members and Silcott held an extended discussion about personnel, scheduling, wages and instances in which trained EMTs have not responded to calls. Silcott said he had heard that the neighboring provider in Sherwood intends to begin billing Hicksville for responses when local EMTs are not available. The transcript records that Sheriff Engel has been addressing the wider mutual-aid staffing crisis with county fire departments.
Fire/EMS Chief Darrick Crochran told council that the department has seven firefighters currently enrolled in EMT training who are expected to qualify around March 2025. Crochran also reported that engine 504 has returned to service, turnout-gear fittings are scheduled, the department applied for a SIG equipment grant, and obsolete gear has been moved to municipal building storage pending disposal.
The council did not record a formal vote or adopt an immediate policy change on EMS billing or staffing at the meeting. Officials discussed training and recruitment timelines and the potential operational and budgetary implications if outside providers begin billing Hicksville for mutual-aid responses.
