Agencies handling emergencies in territory defend budget requests

ST. CROIX — Agencies responsible for handling emergencies in the territory, large and small, defended their 2025 budget requests before the Finance Committee on Friday.

Leadership from the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services defended a nearly $31 million requested General Fund appropriation. If approved, the services’ budget would be bolstered by a $1.4 million appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund, which is filled in part by ambulance fees collected by the Health Department.

Additional money from non-appropriated sources is expected to fall just short of $1.65 million, and millions more in grant funding are pending.

According to testimony presented by VIFEMS Director Antonio Stevens, 97 percent of the appropriated funds will cover personnel expenses, and Stevens highlighted staff increases as one of his goals for 2025 fiscal year.