Fauquier’s volunteer fire and rescue chiefs this week unveiled a request to substantially increase the number of paid first responders on the county payroll.

The $1.56-million proposal calls for 22 new firefighter/medics.

The county has 32 professionals to supplement hundreds of volunteers who provide fire and emergency medical service from Goldvein to Upperville.

But, the number of calls — throughout the 660-mile county — has exceeded the system’s capacity, according to the volunteer chiefs.

Their “staffing analysis and requested solutions” report details the volume of calls, response time and other factors, including federal standards.

Working with county emergency services Chief Thomas Billington, the volunteer leaders have developed a proposal that would provide 24/7 professional staffing at Catlett, Remington and The Plains every day of the year.

Other fire/rescue stations around Fauquier have various levels of professional staffing, depending on their locations, call volume and volunteer staffing.

The county hired its first professional firefighter/medics about two decades ago.

Fauquier dedicates 4.5 cents of its 97-cent (per $100 assessed value) real estate tax to emergency services.

The proposed expansion of professional services will be part of the board of supervsiors’ annual budget process this winter and spring. The new fiscal year will begin July 1.

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