Other options include hiring a temporary pool at a cost of $650,000 to $700,000 annually or transferring some EMS workers from shifts at other stations at a minimal cost, Hill said. Most EMS workers also are trained as firefighters, and many also serve on the volunteer force.

Moyock fires are responded to by full-time EMS employees, available volunteers and crews from Crawford Fire Department in Shawboro.

But many of the Moyock volunteers work in Hampton Roads and are unable to respond during the day.

"These members do not have the ability to respond to every call and this is a disservice to the community, department and the county," Moyock Fire Department Chief Richard Lane and its president, William Doherty, wrote in a letter to the county.

A fire and EMS advisory board debated the issue May 1 and plans to discuss it again this week, Carter said. The advisory board plans to make a recommendation to commissioners.

In 2007, the countywide fire and EMS groups responded to 3,321 calls, according to the county Web site. But the calls are not divided by fire or emergency rescue. In 2004, there were more than 2,000 medical calls compared with 330 fire calls, according to a news report at the time.

Currituck EMS has a full-time staff of 76, including administrative jobs. About 250 volunteers staff Currituck's fire departments. A state study showed that a paid fire department staff countywide would cost $11.4 million annually.