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Burford fire and EMS staffing plan prompts funding questions as town moves to absorb paid positions
Summary
Burford Fire Department and town officials outlined an MOU to transfer paid staff to the town payroll starting Feb. 1; the fire chief warned the department will reduce staffing if county funding is not found and asked the board to consider reallocation in the upcoming budget cycle.
Burford’s fire leadership and town representatives told the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors they had executed an MOU to move paid fire department employees onto the town payroll beginning Feb. 1, and they asked the county to consider participating in funding this transition.
The fire chief and retired department members defended the department’s long record of service—citing 117 years of service for a local company—and described previous innovations (first responder EMT staffing) that addressed EMS coverage gaps. The town said the MOU would place employees on the town payroll with full Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits and full insurance; part-time staffing cost allocation during the transition was discussed.
Board members repeatedly raised the budget implications. One supervisor noted the county is mid‑budget and the request was not included in the current draft; the chief said the department could sustain staffing only so long if additional funding is not secured and pledged the department would contribute funds where possible but might reduce staffing after reserves are exhausted. The town asked the board to consider reappropriating funds between the January and February meetings and to discuss at a future work session.
