The Henry County Board of Supervisors appropriated $236,320 for the purchase of a 2021 Wheeled Coach/Ford F450 ambulance for the Ridgeway District Volunteer Rescue Squad during its March 25 meeting. The funding includes a lien on the vehicle.
Garrett Dillard, of the Iriswood District, cast the only dissenting vote.
Travis Pruitt, captain of the squad, and of the Ridgeway District, abstained.
The rescue squad, which has served the community for nearly 50 years, is facing a decline in volunteerism, a trend seen across Virginia, according to Squad President Sidney McClure.
“We have a small but mighty force in our squad. We service two of the biggest events that Martinsville-Henry County has to offer our community and to tourists, and that is Martinsville Speedway and Rooster Walk,” McClure said.
He emphasized that multiple ambulances are needed to cover such large-scale events in case of emergencies.
Outside of those events, McClure estimates the truck is used about five times per month.
“That is our best truck, so most times our volunteers, if they come and run, they’re going to get on that truck,” he said.
Pruitt added that the ambulance’s usage could change at any time.
As volunteer numbers have decreased, the truck’s usage has also declined—marking the first year of such a drop, McClure said.
Pam Cobler, of the Reed Creek District, asked McClure whether the squad has maintained fiscal responsibility despite its financial struggles.
“Yes. I mean, it’s a struggle across the board for us—not just for us, for everyone. I think we’re working to fix those issues so we can continue to push forward,” McClure said.
Debra Buchanan, of the Horsepasture District, inquired about the squad’s current finances.
Pruitt estimated the squad has about $50,000 in its bank account to cover daily expenses, with no funds in CDs or savings. The ambulance is the squad’s only debt, as the building is fully paid off.
As call volume has declined, so has the squad’s budget.
“It’s not what it normally is, so that has” resulted in a budget short fall, McClure said.
Pruitt said the squad has already spent approximately $100,000 on the ambulance’s upkeep.
“We purchased that truck when we had our career staff, we were covering a large amount of calls, things were going well. That was when we were the only volunteer squad providing staff to the county outside of Henry County’s career service,” Pruitt said.
As other squads joined the volunteer staffing pool, Ridgeway’s call volume and funding declined, creating a ripple effect that impacted its finances.
The squad currently operates three ambulances, with the oldest being a 2012 model that has 110,000 miles and is considered beyond its lifespan. The squad has discussed selling it.
Pruitt noted that the 2012 ambulance is experiencing significant mechanical issues, particularly with its airbag suspension system.
“It’s going to cost a tremendous amount of money to get that system replaced,” he said, adding that there is also a leak on the passenger side.
Cobler asked whether the purchase or absence of the ambulance would impact county operations.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner said the county maintains a stable fund balance for one-time expenses or emergency situations.
“I would say this kind of falls into that category as a one-time emergency situation unless it becomes a habit of them coming back asking for more bailout money. So, from a financial standpoint, I would say it falls into that category,” Wagoner said.
Public Safety’s career staff handles 8,000 to 9,000 calls annually, according to Wagoner.
“The rotation of purchasing an ambulance every other year and refurbishing one in the next year works well in that those trucks are on the road nonstop. You interject another truck into that formula, it doesn’t necessarily cut down on the number of ambulances you have to buy or the number of refurbishes you have to do,” he said.
Dillard questioned why the funding request was not made earlier.
McClure explained that the squad had initially explored fundraising efforts and private donations, but those plans fell through.
“So, we’re at the last end resort,” he said.
