Effort is to Strengthen EMS Coverage in Western Prince Edward
Farmville, VA -- September 15, 2025. The Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad (PEVRS), in partnership with Prince Edward County, launched a 90-day trial beginning September 15, 2025, to enhance emergency medical response coverage in the western part of the county.
As part of this effort, PEVRS will staff one crew daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department. The goal is to reduce response times for residents in the Prospect, Pamplin, and Darlington Heights communities, while maintaining service in the Squad’s entire service area.
District 5 Supervisor, Llew Gilliam, and District 6 Supervisor, David Emert, whose districts include much of the western region, expressed their support for the initiative and their interest in the trial’s results.
“The Board is committed to seeing every corner of Prince Edward County well-served,” said Supervisor Llew Gilliam. “We believe this trial represents a proactive step toward providing equitable and timely emergency medical response for all residents.”
“By deploying a truck daily from the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, we are aiming to cut response times in the areas where they currently lag,” said Supervisor David Emert. “This is about enhancing service equitably and using our resources effectively.”
Currently, Prince Edward County is served by two EMS transport agencies -- Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad and Meherrin Volunteer Rescue Squad -- as well as the Farmville and Hampden-Sydney First Responders, which are non-transport agencies.
"We are committed to providing the best evidence-based care possible to the citizens of Prince Edward County, " Shawn Harmon, PEVRS Operations Chief. "By performing this trial we hope to improve that care to the residents of the western end of the county, while maintaining the level of care for the rest of the county."
“The County would like to express its appreciation to both PEVRS and the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department,” said Douglas P. Stanley, County Administrator. “Our community is very fortunate to have volunteer agencies who prioritize the safety of our citizens.”
Throughout the 90-day trial, PEVRS and County Emergency Management will closely monitor EMS call data to measure improvements in western response times and to ensure no disproportionate increases occur elsewhere. Findings will help guide whether a western-based truck should become a permanent part of EMS operations.
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Photo Identification:
(Left to Right): Prospect Fire Chief Al Mason; Assistant Fire Chief James Redford, PEVRS EMT Chris Vandegrift, PEVRS Paramedic Crew Chief Steven Huff, PEVRS Operations Chief Shawn Harmon, Supervisor David Emert, County Emergency Management Coordinator Trey Pyle, County Administrator Doug Stanley, Supervisor Llew Gilliam.
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About Prince Edward County:
In 1754, Prince Edward Countywas founded in southern Virginia. Today, it stands as the crossroads of the closing days of the American Civil War and the birthplace of America’s fight for civil rights in education. Home to 22,000 citizens, the County offers a rural, progressive lifestyle, two institutions of higher education, a vibrant arts and cultural community, a flourishing downtown shopping district, and a rich abundance of college athletics and outdoor recreational offerings. Find out more: visit the Prince Edward County website or follow Prince Edward County on Facebook @PrinceEdwardCoand on YouTube.