Supervisors back three‑crew plan for Fire & EMS and transfer $311,000 in CIP funds

The Amelia County Board of Supervisors on July 16 endorsed a plan to expand ambulance and fire staffing intended to reduce response times across the county and lessen reliance on mutual aid. Director of Emergency Management (S8) proposed adding three 24‑hour crews — a total of 18 new full‑time staff — phased in starting in October, with the county retaining volunteer staffing as a supplement.

"Basically 3 24 hour crews," S8 said while outlining the staffing model, describing a rotation that would result in 50% more weekly staffed coverage than the current model. The plan would staff two ambulances 24/7 and cross‑staff a third crew on fire apparatus; three stations have indicated willingness to host county career staff while two have not.

Supervisors pressed on operational details such as station rotation, patient destination choices and how the county would phase hiring. S8 said the county hopes to hire six positions in October, six in January and six in March, subject to human resources capacity and applicant interest. The presenter noted federal hour and overtime rules that make a combined fire/EMS staffing model more practical than an EMS‑only schedule.

To fund startup capital for the program — equipment and the final payment on a recently acquired ambulance — the board approved moving $311,000 in leftover funds from the county radio CIP to a new Fire & EMS CIP. Committee member (S6) moved the transfer and the board approved it by voice vote. S8 said the transfer covers gear and the final ambulance payment and that the county intends to convert away from contracted staffing as the new hires come online.

The board gave direction to staff to proceed with hiring and implementation steps; no roll‑call vote tally was recorded in the transcript. The county will return with regular implementation updates and follow‑up details as staffing is phased in.