Chiefs urge EMS and dispatch be factored into study; county notes technical and legal hurdles

Several chiefs asked the county to add an EMS component and review dispatch mechanics as part of the consolidation study. One chief said Beaufort and Port Royal have worked to add ambulances and that co-location and closer coordination with EMS could be an area for improvement. "We've worked for the past 2 years to get an ambulance in Buford and Port Royal," a chief said, recommending the study examine EMS integration and colocation opportunities.

County staff and the town manager noted that EMS is a county service and dispatch sits with the sheriff's office, which creates structural issues the consultant should analyze. Speakers recommended the RFQ and scope explicitly address legal enabling legislation, debt treatment and the practical mechanics of billing, mill-value allocation and interlocal agreements.