County of Alleghany issued the following announcement on July 25.
During this year’s budget process, Alleghany County’s EMS department was discussed in detail due to retention and recruitment challenges over the past several years.
In an effort to retain adequate staff levels and recruit for open positions for the Emergency Medical Services, Alleghany County is improving base salaries and overtime rates for EMS staff and will be implementing a new overnight transport policy from 8 PM until 8AM.
Only emergency ambulance transports after all other resources have been exhausted, as defined in the current EMS transport policy to out of county facilities, will be taken between these defined overnight hours with one unit on duty.
These changes are to mitigate further reduction of EMS services to Alleghany County and will take effect July 26, 2022.
Additional steps must be taken to ensure the future of EMS within the County.
Levels of staffing have fallen over the past few years causing a restructured approach at recruitment, retention, and continuance of these essential services.
The Alleghany County Ambulance Transport Policy is attached.
Original source can be found here.