WAYNE COUNTY, WV — Wayne County has introduced a temporary fix to its emergency response time issues with the start of a county-contracted ambulance service, Jan-Care, which began operating this weekend. This service will be available 24/7 for residents.
B.J. Willis, the Wayne County 911 Director, highlighted the difficulties faced by dispatchers when trying to locate an ambulance, often causing long waits and stress for callers. He noted that having a dedicated ambulance service brings reassurance and relief.
Previously, volunteer fire departments were the only providers of EMS services in the county. However, since the Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department’s EMS coverage ended on March 27, the area has lacked EMS services. Jan-Care, stationed off Route 152 in Genoa, will primarily cover this region.
Willis explained that after Dunlow stopped its EMS service, other agencies had to fill in, which led to missed calls in their own areas. In the first 48 hours of Jan-Care’s service, the company responded to 12 out of 36 calls, with the rest handled by teams from Lavalette, Ceredo, Kenova, and Prichard. Wayne’s own team did not respond to any calls in their area.
Ceredo Fire Chief Robbie Robson noted that while Jan-Care’s presence helps reduce delays, it’s important to remember that this is a temporary measure with only one ambulance.
Wayne County Commission President Jeff Maddox stated that contracting Jan-Care costs over $30,000 each month, funded by the county’s general fund and opioid settlement money. This service is meant to be a short-term solution until additional funding from a recently passed public service levy becomes available in July 2025.