Rockbridge supervisors authorize move to county-run EMS after concerns about volunteer squad

Rockbridge County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize staff to proceed with transitioning emergency medical services in the Goan area from the volunteer Goan First Aid Crew to a county-operated, career-staffed ambulance service.

Fire Rescue Chief Ramsey told the board that audits and an embezzlement investigation into the volunteer agency revealed governance, financial oversight and long-term operational sustainability concerns. "Based on that information and everything we've presented, staff does recommend to remove them from the county safety plan and hire seven additional staff to provide 24-hour EMS staffing," Chief Ramsey said during the presentation.

Staff described the transition as a two-part package: (1) remove the Goan First Aid Crew from the county emergency/safety plan by ordinance amendment to chapter 14, and (2) hire seven career positions (with a promoted lieutenant) to provide a county ambulance response out of the Goan fire station. The FY27 request included wages, benefits and about $42,000 in start-up costs for uniforms and PPE. Staff presented numbers in the meeting indicating an initial FY27 need of about $517,697 before accounting for budgeted allotments and anticipated EMS revenue recovery, which they said reduces the FY27 net need to about $256,413; staff estimated recurring ongoing costs of roughly $475,000 and an impact to the county operating budget of about $290,000 annually after offsets.

The board discussed options for volunteers who want to continue serving. County staff said existing Goan crew members may apply to volunteer with the county and that an independent volunteer agency could attempt to re‑establish under different leadership and pass state inspections. "If the rescue squad would like to revitalize and go through the process to become an EMS agency again, that absolutely can do that under different leadership," staff said.

Tyrus Bessel, who identified himself as a Goan First Aid Crew member during public comment, urged the board not to close the volunteer agency and warned of the local loss of specialized training and community ties. "If the Goan First Aid Crew is shut down, who will answer those calls? Who will provide the same level of care and commitment to our residents?" he asked.

Board members emphasized the need for a plan to restore and support volunteers over time and asked staff to build a two‑year vision for unwinding county staffing should volunteers return. County legal staff clarified that removing the volunteer group from the county safety plan requires an ordinance amendment and public notice; the earliest such action could take effect is at the end of July given publication and meeting schedules.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to authorize transition to county-operated career EMS staffing was moved, seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. Staff will begin the ordinance amendment process, start the hiring and onboarding work, and report back to the board; volunteers were told they may apply to continue serving under county oversight.

Authorities and funding notes: Staff said funding for the FY27 start-up would come from a combination of unspent allotments, EMS revenue recovery, performance-based funding and a transfer from FY26 fund balance; exact funding actions will be formalized during appropriation and budget discussions.