Board hears proposal to transfer Wachapreague VFD ambulances to the County

The Accomack County Board of Supervisors heard a proposal from the Wachapreague Volunteer Fire Company to transfer their ambulance assets to the County at their meeting Wednesday night. Wachapreague informed the County via letter that they would not be renewing their EMS license, which is set to expire on October 31, 2025.

The County’s Department of Public Safety currently provides emergency medical services from six core facilities strategically located across Accomack County, with the southernmost facility being the Painter Volunteer Firehouse. The service model at this location is unique, relying on a partnership between the Painter Volunteer Fire Company , the Wachapreague Volunteer Fire Company and the County. Under this model,  Wachapreague provides and maintains all EMS apparatus, including ambulances, while Painter offers a facility to house this equipment. The County supplies EMS personnel who respond to most calls using Wachapreague’s apparatus.

Revenue from EMS-related service charges is retained entirely by Wachapreague to cover operational costs. From these funds, Wachapreague provides Painter with a portion to offset expenses related to facility usage. The County’s personnel costs are funded through the EMS tax levy. In 2023, the Painter location handled 478 in-district EMS calls and 191 mutual aid calls, generating approximately $183,000 in ambulance billing revenue, according to Wachapreague’s latest financial statement.

On December 10, 2024, Wachapreague formally notified the County of its intention to discontinue its involvement in EMS service delivery by October 31, 2025. Wachapreague, Painter, and the County have expressed a shared commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to a new service delivery model. All parties recognize the importance of uninterrupted EMS services for residents and visitors in the southernmost portion of Accomack County.

Currently, the most viable solution involves the County purchasing Wachapreague’s ambulances and related equipment and entering an agreement with Painter to house these assets. From a customer perspective, this transition would not result in any noticeable change in EMS services.

At this time, no action is required from the Board of Supervisors. County staff will continue to collaborate with Wachapreague  and Painter’s representatives and plan to present a formal recommendation to the Board in early 2025.

Supervisors Donald Hart and Renita Major who represented both fire companies thanked them for their collaboration which began in 2016  and allowed better ambulance coverage of southern Accomack County.

Department of Public Service Director C Ray Pruitt said that the agreement greatly reduced the time residents in southern Accomack County had to wait for ambulace service. 

While negotiations to solve the issue are forthcoming,  several supervisors and Chairman Robert Crockett stated flatly that there will be no interruption or change in service.  All expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved.