‘A proactive approach’: Henrico Fire and EMS manages spike in 911 calls

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - There’s rarely a slow day for Henrico Fire and EMS.

Over the years, the county has seen a 1% to 4% increase in EMS calls, which comprise most of their call logs. But in the last fiscal year, calls spiked nearly 8%.

“Which causes us to have some concern as to why?” said Henrico Fire and EMS Chief Jackson Baynard.

He said there are a number of reasons, but one of the biggest is the county’s growth, especially in sports tourism, which has attracted thousands to the area.

“We’re always looking at the horizon, what’s next, so we’re not as reactive, but we can have a proactive approach,” he said.

That includes increasing their staff, adding more emergency response vehicles and working with other jurisdictions on calls like Tuckahoe and Lakeside.

“But really, it’s all