On April 7, 2022, the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services officially granted an EMS license to the Montgomery County Department of Fire and EMS. As an EMS license holder, Montgomery County paramedics and EMTs can provide medical attention to citizens.
The process to achieve the status of EMS license holder involved several steps to include policy and protocol development, recruitment and selection of staff, and the completion of an in-depth application for state licensure through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services.
As the population in Montgomery County continues to grow, so does the need for a variety of services, including emergency medical care. In both 2020 and 2021, EMS volunteers responded to more than 10,000 calls throughout Montgomery County.
The Department of Fire and EMS recently hired 17 part-time and six full-time EMTs and paramedics to assist in responding to calls.
“The Board fully supports the newly created department and recognizes the need for paid EMS staff to assist the current volunteers,” said Sherri Blevins, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
“The EMS licensure and hiring of part-time and full-time paramedics and EMTs allows Montgomery County to continue to provide a service that our citizens both need and expect to receive,” Blevins said.
The Montgomery County Department of Fire and EMS provides various types of emergency services to the county’s citizens and visitors. This includes provisions for emergency medical response, specialty rescue, emergency management, and hazardous material responses for the Town of Blacksburg, the Town of Christiansburg and rural Montgomery County.
“We will always value our volunteers and all they do for the County,” said Montgomery County administrator Craig Meadows. “The newly hired staff members are simply there to help bridge coverage gaps at times when existing volunteers find it challenging to respond to calls.”
