Launch Date Selected for Wayne County Emergency Medical Services

The Wayne County Commission has announced a date has been selected for the launch of its new Wayne County Emergency Medical Services operation. County-owned and operated ambulances will begin serving residents and visitors on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM.

The new program will initially include two ambulances staffed around the clock, one stationed in the Fort Gay, WV, area and the other in the Dunlow, WV region. 

Additionally, a third county ambulance will be available as a spare to ensure continuous coverage during maintenance events.  Five volunteer fire departments in the county will continue to provide emergency ambulance service as well.
Travis Thompson, President of the Wayne County Commission, expressed his enthusiasm about this development. "This is an exciting time for Wayne County,” he said. “Through their support of the county EMS levy, our neighbors told us that they desire improved emergency services in this community. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that they receive the best possible emergency medical services system for their investment, and that is exactly what they will see."

The Commission contracted with HealthNet Aeromedical Services to manage the new program and their President and CEO, Clinton Burley, assured that the operation will maintain the high quality for which his program is renowned. "We are committed to providing exceptional clinical care and service to the county,” Burley said. “The Wayne County EMS team will be ready, and the vehicles they operate will be equipped with a full suite of equipment to effectively manage medical emergencies in the field. Our directive from the Commission was to develop and operate this program at a very high level. We’re doing just that, and those experiencing medical emergencies in Wayne County will be the beneficiaries of these collective efforts."

In the coming weeks, the focus will turn to recruitment and selection of staff for the new service.  “We’ll be sharing announcements regarding the process that West Virginians or nationally certified EMTs and paramedics can follow to express interest in employment with the new service,” Burley said. “We look forward to being considered an EMS employer of choice. The service will offer competitive wages, a meaningful benefit structure and the opportunity to retire after twenty years of service.