Beaufort County EMS announces new routes; Chocowinity continues to tweak budget

BLOUNTS CREEK, N.C. (WNCT) — Starting July 1, Beaufort County EMS will begin operating on an emergency transport in the Blounts Creek area.

The truck will stay fully staffed 24/7 at the paramedic level while also providing mutual aid to Aurora and Chocowinity EMS when they are out on call.

Blounts Creek Volunteer Fire Department posted on their Facebook that the county currently operates a Paramedic QRV (Medic 4) with a transport truck from Aurora or Chocowinity EMS, which will be transitioning to EMS 4, taking the place of Medic 4.

Officials said this decision has been made after years of dedication and will provide faster emergency transportation for patients in the area.

It’s part of an ongoing problem, especially in Chocowinity. Over the past few weeks, the town cut its transport services to save money. They kept 9-1-1 services. They also found out Beaufort County commissioners approved a fiscal budget on Monday. That moves more than $100,000 from their EMS funds to Blounts Creek.

The local government commission wants the town to find $258,000. That’s because the last town audit showed a deficit of that amount.

The budget needs to be approved by June 30.

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