Fire, EMS support a top priority in Bedford Co. ’26 budget [Video]

BEDFORD — Finding more financial support for Bedford County’s fire and emergency medical services operations will be a top priority in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, County Administrator Robert Hiss told the board of supervisors this week.

During a board session Monday, Supervisor John Sharp said he thinks more funding should be found in the capital improvement plan for fire apparatus. He expressed concern with inflation’s effects on fire and rescue agencies driven by volunteers.

“I would like to see some additional reimbursement for these agencies. It’s just a big burden for them to meet all of this inflation,” Sharp said.

Supervisor Bob Davis said the Shady Grove Volunteer Fire and Rescue department’s chief seeks the county’s help in purchasing an ambulance and has gone out of his way to keep costs low. Davis said the Thaxton department’s chief gave him a figure of $50,000 per year from the county …