After a record crush of 911 calls that stretched crews thin and left ambulances in short supply at times, Anderson County EMS is asking county leaders for up to $1.3 million in additional funding. The pitch includes a new 12-hour ambulance in Oak Ridge and pay bumps for paramedics and advanced EMTs, with officials arguing the moves are aimed squarely at cutting down frequent “Code White” alerts and shoring up local coverage.
According to WVLT, Anderson County EMS logged 667 Code White events in 2025, which is 92 more than in 2024, and handled roughly 1,000 additional calls over the year. The department laid out three budget options for the county’s Budget Committee: a top package just over $9 million that includes the Oak Ridge unit and full pay raises, a middle plan near $8.5 million, and a bare-bones alternative with no new resources. EMS leaders say that most conservative version would leave existing staffing gaps and response problems in place.
Staff stress and the pitch to commissioners
EMS Director Nathan Sweet told WVLT that “the need is there” as the agency pushes for both the Oak Ridge truck and wage increases. Lieutenant Brian Rozmus said crews are running into “a lot more times where we just don’t have ambulances available,” with Code White alerts piling extra pressure onto already demanding shifts. Sweet explained that the proposed 12-hour Oak Ridge unit would focus on lower-acuity calls and hospital transfers so paramedic units can stay closer to their main coverage areas instead of getting pulled out of position.
Budget timing and county background
The county’s Budget Committee has set a dedicated meeting for June 16 to go over proposed budgets, including the EMS plan, according to postings from Anderson County. County records from Anderson County show that EMS has floated similar funding and station proposals in previous cycles, including motions tied to 12-hour trucks and station rentals. Commissioners are expected to weigh the EMS request alongside countywide pay priorities and other departmental needs before they lock in the new budget.
Operations, pay and recruitment
The county’s own overview for the agency describes a multi-station fleet that handles roughly 18,500 calls per year, and the Anderson County EMS site maps out its current footprint. Pay details listed by Anderson County EMS put starting hourly wages at $16.00 for EMT-B, $18.50 for AEMT, and $21.50 for paramedics, figures officials say make it tough to hang on to staff when nearby agencies boost their pay scales. Leaders argue that adding the Oak Ridge 12-hour truck, combined with targeted raises, would cut down on long pulls from other communities and help stabilize recruitment and retention.
Whatever the Budget Committee decides, the outcome will determine how quickly ambulances can reach emergencies across Anderson County this year. Residents can follow the June 16 discussion through ACTV or the county calendar, and EMS staff say they will be watching closely to see whether commissioners put funding behind the department’s pitch. For now, paramedics say the strain is very real as they wait to find out whether relief is on the way.
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