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Residents warn of gaps in 911 coverage as board considers EMS district
Summary
Multiple speakers said the county sometimes has only one staffed ambulance and that contract clauses could require units to deploy elsewhere, leaving the county with reduced coverage; a certified EMT asked the board whether funding proposals would ensure a reliably ALS‑equipped response.
Public commenters at the Nottoway County Board meeting raised urgent concerns about emergency medical-services coverage as the board considered establishing an EMS district. Cristy Romano, a certified EMT and county resident, told supervisors she watched the April 14 meeting and said NCES currently operates only one designated ambulance for the county and that the unit’s level of care varies between basic, advanced and paramedic staffing.
"Presently, NCES operates only one designated ambulance for the entire county. The level of care provided by that unit varies," Romano said. She added that information shared earlier indicated NCES’ contract with an outside entity (FASI) included a clause requiring Nottoway to deploy a third paramedic-level ambulance to support that partner when requested, and asked, "If NCS is required to support 0.333 FASI unit, what happens to the only 911 ambulance available to Nottoway County?"
Bowen and other supervisors acknowledged the operational risk and said county staff have been assembling data and will present options and numbers at a work session. Board members and chiefs emphasized the desire to staff more ALS-capable ambulances and to avoid a net loss of 911 availability while meeting contractual obligations. No levy numbers were set; the board signaled it will discuss models for assuring coverage and staffing at the scheduled work session.
