Warren County Weighs Shift in Chester Gap Fire Staffing Agreement

Warren County officials are considering a major shift in how emergency services are funded and staffed in the Chester Gap area. The change would end a temporary COVID-era staffing agreement with the Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department and instead use those funds to bolster in-county emergency coverage.

Gerry Maiatico, the county’s Director of Fire and Emergency Services, provided the Board of Supervisors with a detailed overview of the current agreement, which dates back to 2020. It was initiated during the height of the pandemic when volunteer numbers at Chester Gap dropped sharply.

“We used CARES Act funds initially,” said Maiatico. “Once those ran out, it became a permanent line item in our budget, supported by taxpayer dollars.”

Chester Gap, located just across the Rappahannock County line, covers a 16-square-mile area in Warren County and responds to roughly 60% of its calls from within Warren’s borders. In the current fiscal year, Warren is contributing approximately $222,902 to Chester Gap’s staffing and operational support — which includes base funding, supplemental staffing costs, and workers’ compensation reimbursements.

However, with increasing budget pressures and rising expectations from partner counties, Warren County officials are exploring a different approach.

Proposed Shift to Internal Staffing

Fire Chief James Bonzano told the board that Warren could reallocate funds currently paid to Chester Gap and instead hire three full-time advanced life support (ALS) staff members to be stationed at Fire Station One, which serves as the busiest hub in the county.

“This is about getting more value and ensuring better response,” Bonzano said. “If we staff in-house, I can guarantee oversight, safety, and accountability, and we’ll actually gain ALS coverage across more of the county.”

Bonzano explained that Chester Gap staff are paid as independent contractors through Rappahannock County, with ALS providers earning up to $30 an hour, compared to Warren County’s ALS staff at around $21 an hour. Matching that rate would cost Warren nearly $85,000 more annually, something the county isn’t willing to do while paying its own employees less.

“I can’t justify paying subcontractors more than our own staff,” Bonzano said. “That’s bad business.”

A Temporary Agreement Turned Permanent

The original intent of the Chester Gap staffing arrangement was to be temporary, funded through emergency federal money during the pandemic. Over time, however, it became a regular part of the county’s budget — one that now strains available resources.

Supervisor Cheryl Cullers, whose district includes the Chester Gap area, expressed concerns about losing local coverage if the agreement ends.

“My end of the county has the lowest coverage,” she said. “If we’re going to pull this funding, we need to make sure we’re enhancing Station One so those residents are still served.”

Bonzano agreed, emphasizing that even without a formal staffing agreement, Chester Gap would remain part of the automatic aid network. “They’re professionals,” he said. “If we need help and they can respond, they will.”

Board members also discussed the issue of cost recovery — revenue from patient transports. Currently, Chester Gap receives all EMS transport reimbursements, even for calls in Warren County. If staffing shifts to Station One, Warren would retain those revenues, helping to offset the cost of additional staff.

Next Steps

No final decision was made during the session, but the board indicated it would take the matter under advisement during budget planning. Supervisors voiced appreciation for Chester Gap’s long-standing cooperation, particularly in lending equipment and stepping up during crises.

“We value our relationship with Chester Gap,” said one board member. “But we also have to consider what makes the most sense for our residents, fiscally and operationally.”

Click here to watch the April 22, 2025 Warren County Board of Supervisors Work Session.

This presentation begins at 33:01