City shifts ambulance service to fire department adding 30 new EMT positions

Wilmington City officials are taking decisive action to ensure uninterrupted ambulance services after Trinity Health announced it would cease operations on June 28, 2025. The city plans to integrate emergency medical services (EMS) into the fire department, a move that will require hiring an additional 30 EMTs and firefighters.

During the recent budget hearings, Deputy Chief of Staff Mergler outlined the city's strategy to maintain stable ambulance service by utilizing $679,000 in unused funds from the now-defunct contract with Saint Francis Hospital. This budget amendment will not increase the overall FY 2025 budget, as it reallocates existing resources.

The majority of the reallocated funds, approximately $513,000, will be directed towards personnel services within the fire department, allowing for the increase in authorized personnel from 156 to 186. This includes $486,000 for the salaries of the new firefighters and EMTs, as well as additional costs for upgrading a battalion chief position and hiring a civilian EMS manager.

Furthermore, the budget amendment allocates $166,000 for essential equipment, including radios, laptops, and tablets for EMS operations, ensuring that the new service is well-equipped to respond to emergencies.

This proactive approach by the city aims to fill the gap left by Trinity Health and ensure that residents continue to receive timely and effective emergency medical care. As the city moves forward with these plans, the integration of EMS into the fire department is expected to enhance the overall efficiency and reliability of emergency services in Wilmington.