VB Rescue Council’s
Position Statements
Rescue Council Position
– Billing for service (2024)
Position Statement of the Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. on Compassionate Billing
The Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. unanimously supports the implementation of a compassionate billing policy, contingent upon the finalization and mutual agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Rescue Council, the City of Virginia Beach, and the Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
We believe that compassionate billing aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of Virginia Beach. Our priority has always been to serve the community with empathy, ensuring that no individual is denied essential emergency care due to financial constraints.
However, our support for this initiative is founded on the following conditions:
- Mutual Agreement of MOU: The Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. emphasizes the importance of an MOU that has been thoroughly reviewed, discussed, and agreed upon by all relevant parties. This MOU must clearly outline the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the Rescue Council, the City of Virginia Beach, and the Virginia Beach Department of EMS in the implementation of compassionate billing.
- Revenue Allocation: Revenue generated through compassionate billing should be directly reinvested into the Virginia Beach volunteer rescue squads and Department of EMS operations through a special revenue fund.
- Transparency and Accountability: The Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. advocates for clear and transparent processes in the administration of compassionate billing. This includes active involvement in the financial accountability process, with regular reporting and audits to ensure that all funds are utilized in accordance with the agreed-upon terms of the MOU.
- Public Awareness and Education: It is crucial that the community is informed and educated about the compassionate billing policy. We encourage the City of Virginia Beach to engage in public outreach efforts to ensure that residents understand the purpose of this billing system and how it will affect them.
The Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of emergency medical services in our city. We are confident that, with careful planning and collaboration, the implementation of compassionate billing will further our mission of providing exceptional care to those in need.
Reload document
Open in new tab Rescue Council Position
– Ambulance Ownership (2018)
The Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. stands firm in its resolve that our Volunteer Organizations should remain the sole provider of state certified ambulances for the provision of emergency medical transport services within the City of Virginia Beach under the umbrella of the Department of EMS.
Rescue Council Position
– City Support
It is the position of Rescue Council that the city’s volunteer rescue squads need and request the City to continue providing all services it has traditionally provided to the squads, including:
- Notification of member status changes
- Notifications of vehicle status changes
- Administrative support for biannually renewing volunteer rescue squad agency licenses
- Monthly reports showing addresses to which squad ambulances have arrived on scene
Rescue Council Position
– Unfunded Mandates
It is the position of Rescue Council that the city’s volunteer rescue squads are not able and do not wish to absorb any new unfunded mandates. The path to accomplishing new initiatives that impose expenses on the volunteer rescue squads should be for the City to gain Rescue Council’s prior consent.
Rescue Council Position
– EMS Duty Physician Program
It is the position of Rescue Council that the City should robustly support the EMS Duty Physician Program and advise Rescue Council whether the City wants to fund and otherwise achieve this directly or via the volunteer rescue squads.
Rescue Council Position
– EVMS Partnership Programs
It is the position of Rescue Council that the City should robustly support EVMS partnership programs and advise Rescue Council whether the City wants to fund and otherwise achieve this directly or via the volunteer rescue squads.
Rescue Council Position
– Operational Medical Director
It is the position of Rescue Council that the City should seek Rescue Council’s endorsement prior to appointing any non-incumbent Operational Medical Director.