We were shocked: Brunswick County manager speaks out after Southport emergency meeting on paramedic crews [Video]

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Leaders in Brunswick County are trying to calm the waters over the new emergency services contract with Southport.

The contract in question is one that keeps Southport’s EMS part of county services.

The issue revolves around a change in language in a franchise agreement from July 1, 2024 that states, “The on-duty EMS supervisor for Brunswick County EMS will provide direction for the response and standby of all EMS resources within Brunswick County.”

At an emergency board of aldermen meeting Monday night, Southport leaders raised concerns that the county could deploy city units to areas far from Southport, which would delay response to people living in the city limits.

“It’s important that we continue to be able to respond less than four minutes to save lives in our community,” Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew told WECT Tuesday.

Brunswick County Manager Steve Stone said that wouldn’t be the case.

“We were shocked at Southport’s …