Berkeley County ambulance authority expands 24‑hour coverage; RFP issued for Bennington station expansion

A county commissioner reported operational changes and near‑term capital work for local emergency medical services at the Berkeley County Commission meeting July 31. The commissioner said the ambulance authority has begun staffing the Baker Heights volunteer fire department 24 hours a day and that the Bennington volunteer fire department will host crews at Station 40247 beginning Aug. 1. An RFP for expansion of Bennington Station 49 will be released Aug. 1, with county staff targeting full 24/7 staffing at that station by Jan. 1, 2026. Why it matters: Expanding 24/7 ambulance coverage can reduce response times and affect budget, staffing and station construction plans. Officials said the countywide average response time dropped below eight minutes after the latest staffing move. The same commissioner said annual household EMS fees were mailed July 3; this is the third year of the $110 fee. Homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption may have $25 deducted, reducing their fee to $85. Officials also reported fleet procurement: two ambulances expected in August and three more in 2025, and said the overall fleet is in good condition. The items were presented as informational updates; commissioners did not record new policy votes on staffing or fee structure at the July 31 meeting.