AMARILLO,TEXAS -- After months of debate, and a phone book full of research, an ambulance service permit was issued Tuesday nigth by the city commission, to a company called American Medical Response.
City Manager Alan Taylor recommended after months of research, that using a private company like AMR would provide excellent service, at a ''huge'' savings to the city.
Some folks wanted the fire department to take over but that option was too costly and would take years to implement. Some worry that local EMS workers will take a paycut with the new company.
"it seems like a good deal as long as AMR does what they say they're going to and as long as the City Commission makes them do what they said they would." said Amanda Nurek who is worried about current EMS workers.
Alan Taylor said "There were some people in town that wanted the fire department to run the ambulance services or some other public entity. But after two months of exhaustive research it was determined that the plan was not feasible... and would be a costly option for taxpayers."
Should AMR ''not'' live up to their contract there is a cancellation provision helping to protect the city.
Most of the current EMS workers in town will be offered jobs by the new company. But only after passing new certification, and pre-employment screening.
