Page County recently gave Shenandoah Rescue Squad leaders a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday to sign a franchise agreement that would bring them into compliance with Page County Code.

County Attorney George Shanks sent a letter dated February 26 informing the squad's members that they have been in violation of the code for almost two years.

In 2008, the county began a program whereby insurance companies began to be billed for ambulance services. Over time, the leaders of the Stanley and Luray rescue squads signed franchise agreements that brought them into compliance with county and state laws.

"The failure of the Shenandoah Rescue Squad, Inc. to execute this franchise agreement will result in the commencement of civil and criminal prosecutions, as the County of Page, Virginia deems appropriate," writes Shanks in the letter obtained by WHSV.

Squad leaders say they have concerns with how the county is running the fee-for-ambulance-service program.

"The issue is with the county not willing to negotiate," says David Huffman, captain of the Shenandoah Rescue Squad.

Huffman wants the county to look at how the money is distributed in the fee-for-service program, among other things. He says the squad takes on big costs taking patients from Page County to Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

"Of course the county took the scenario that's best for the county," says Huffman.

The issues between the squad and the county have been dragging on for several months. County and squad leaders say communication has been a major challenge.

Wes Shifflett, coordinator of fire and rescue for Page County, says fee-for-service was meant to be a benefit to the squad.

"It was to help assist the volunteer agencies because donations run quite low," says Shifflett.

He says the involvement of attorneys on both sides has led to some of the communication problems.

"The county is open to negotiating anything once the franchising agreements are agreed upon," says Shifflett.

With minutes to go, Huffman says the squad's leaders decided to sign the agreement Friday afternoon, with room to negotiate.

Huffman says the decision was about continuing to serve the community.

"We do not want that to be disrupted because the county thinks that they can send us a contract and that we will bend over for them," says Huffman.

Squad leaders say their attorney will start negotiations with the county next week.