Washington County, VA emergency response times could increase

The Washington County Virginia Fire Rescue is now serving nearly 3,500 more additional people. The town of Abingdon Fire Department had been providing additional emergency coverage out of town limits and into Washington County, but as of April 1st, that coverage ended. Fire officials say this change will lead to an increase in response time. Officials said that more than half of the calls they responded to were outside of town and that put a strain on the town’s fire department budget. Officials in Washington County have an operational plan in place as Abingdon’s coverage is phased out over a few weeks.