Rescue Coverage Responsibilities Shift For Westview-Fairforest Fire District

Rescue coverage responsibilities handled nearly 50 years by the Westview-Fairforest Fire District shifted to Spartanburg EMS Saturday morning, according to our coverage partners at the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Jimmy Greene, director of Spartanburg EMS, told the Herald-Journal Friday that “everything’s in place” for the change to start at 8 Saturday morning. Greene said the transition has been smooth, and Spartanburg EMS has hired seven employees, who are going through job orientation. Greene said until that process is complete in about two weeks, Spartanburg EMS will “be staffing somewhat with overtime.“

According to the story from the Herald-Journal, the district is a special-purpose tax district overseen by five commissioners. The commissioners voted 3-1 on Sept. 29 to discontinue EMS service in light of the EMS division being $22,000 under “stay afloat” budget figures for the first two months.

Nine Westview-Fairforest positions were eliminated by the transfer, but the district shifted six of those to operating another fire truck.

Parks said two employees found jobs elsewhere and resigned, and another is on long-term leave. The remaining six filled the spots.

Spartanburg EMS will operate from Westview-Fairforest Station 2 at 4247 Anderson Mill Road, Moore. Parks said Spartanburg EMS will pay for utilities above the fire district’s baseline and will pay $150 a month for six months for use of the facility. Both sides will review the agreement at that time.