Public and supervisors press for review of Nottoway Emergency Squad; board hears past Virginia Fire Services Board report

During the public comment period at the July 17 Nottoway County Board of Supervisors meeting, resident Richard Dykeman urged the board to revisit a 29-page report requested of the Virginia Fire Services Board in 2020 that he said described numerous problems with the county's emergency medical services.

"They submitted a 29 page report saying the Nottoway County EMS is broken," Dykeman said, and told the board he would leave a copy of the report with county officials and that the document is available from the Virginia Fire Services Board.

Board members and staff acknowledged awareness of prior reports. At the meeting county staff and supervisors said they had seen the report previously and that the county and supervisors were reviewing EMS oversight options. Later in the meeting supervisors said ongoing talks with the emergency squad were moving toward a contract or other formal arrangement to address governance and service delivery.

The public comments also noted a recent tax increase discussed in the local paper that had prompted the request for an audit. The board did not take formal action on an audit that night, but supervisors and staff told residents they would continue to evaluate the squad's structure and any contract terms, and to report back to the board when there are recommended next steps.