Over the past several years, EMS service in Beaufort County has been a much debated topic. From nearly all volunteer squads making the jump from intermediate-level service to paramedic-level service to the county canceling Chocowinity EMS’ contract because commissioners disagreed with the squad’s wholesale decision to make intrafaciity transports to further support its services; from the advent of Beaufort County EMS, an umbrella organization for all EMS services with its own squad to fill in gaps in service across the county to closing down Bath Community EMS due to lack of volunteers and inability to cover the district by the few dedicated volunteers left on the roster, county EMS service has been constantly evolving and has not been without its growing pains.

The latest hiccup in the effort to provide uniform service to all residents of Beaufort County is the issue over which EMS agency should cover the Washington Township area. For decades, Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS has provided that service; the county has paid the department to do so. But when county commissioners voted last year to cancel the contract with plans to install a Beaufort County EMS ambulance in the Old Ford area, many objected. People in the Cherry Run area became concerned because in recent years their EMS calls have been answered by nearby Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS on West 15^th Street — close by means quick response for their emergencies. An ambulance stationed at Old Ford would change that. City of Washington officials also objected, as the contract with the county, and the billing revenue, helped support Washington-Fire-Rescue EMS. No contract means a hole in the city budget.

Many have wondered why the county, though required by state law to make sure EMS service is available, is making such rapid expansion of Beaufort County EMS, considering that its cost has been pretty hefty — last year, the county shelled out $1.5 million in startup costs; this year, though much of the cost of service will be recouped through billing in future years.

But there is a plan and while the plan comes at a cost, the net gain is better service for all residents of Beaufort County. The county is moving in the right direction with emergency medical dispatch, a protocol through which telecommunicators determine the nature of the emergency and dispatch a response of an appropriate level of urgency. EMD was launched last year and has been highly successful in sending the right resources to a call. Some county officials are looking to a day when all EMS vehicles are outfitted with an auto-locator, by which telecommunicators can see which unit is closest to an emergency — for example, if a unit is on its way back from the hospital and happens to be nearby — and send that unit, regardless of jurisdiction, to answer the call.

In this future version of Beaufort County EMS, EMS service districts would conceivably be unnecessary, and EMS service district taxes would be uniform throughout the county. Washington City Councilman Doug Mercer seems to be on board with this, as he believes that EMS should move forward under one system.

But we’re not there yet. And the growing pains are chafing a sore between the city and county. Perhaps it’s time to rethink Washington Township’s coverage — not to preserve the status quo, but to ensure that no one loses out: not the city, not the county, not the EMS squads and certainly not the people who rely on good EMS service and coverage.

Too much too soon may just come with a price.