By Justin Faulconer
The News & Advance
BEDFORD, Va. — Bedford County is on its way to having, for the first time in its history, the capacity to provide countywide, full-time paramedic service.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution authorizing the expansion of emergency services staffing at the request of volunteers. The board approved an additional ambulance, enough staff members to work night hours Sunday through Thursday, and an advanced life support response vehicle that is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Jack Jones, chief of fire and rescue, said the expansion adds five full-time and two part-time positions. The new positions will cost roughly $313,000, which would be covered through a revenue-recovery billing program the county has enacted. The measure is “bare minimum” in terms of need but will supplement a dozen volunteer rescue squads and guarantees paramedic care at all times of the day, Jones said.
“An ambulance will be on duty 24 hours a day,” Jones said. “Currently, we are doing 14-hour coverage (from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.)”
Volunteers requested the additional help and said full-time service is needed due to some emergency calls going unanswered. Several residents have said the county can’t put a price tag on a human life and expanding emergency staff could potentially avoid litigation if a person were to die because of slow response time.
“I will not gamble with anyone’s life,” Supervisor Gary Lowry said. “I will support this.”
Supervisors Dale Wheeler and Steve Arrington voiced support for the volunteer system but also said this seems a necessary step for public safety.
“I’m not afraid of being sued,” said Wheeler. “I do think that in order to do the job, we have to do this.”
Copyright 2009 The News & Advance