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Talk of new ambulance services continue BV" MARY.IANIi FAR,ViBR I IERALU UENOCRA f Future plans for countywide ambulance service change daily as the fire departments of three cities are now considering expanding seivices. "This takes a lot o£ sugar ouf of Yhe pie," Whitesboro Fire Chief Barry Besfe said, when tallcing about attempts to get a new, privately-ow-iied aaibulance provider to come to Grayson CoLmty. Life Tecli Ambulance Service closed at 7 a.m. April 17, putting pressure on each city's fire depar[ment, first responders, and ambulance service. Slierman Fire Department immediately began making transfers to and from hospitals and nursing homes, which was the hole in Shernian that Life Tech dug by 'rts closing. Before April 17, Life Tech made the transfers aiid Shernian FD provided emergency ambulance ruus. Bells-Savoy EMT Service placed an ambulance and staff at Whitesboro and Van Alstyne on a temporary basis, filling in where the now-defimct Life Tech left of£ Urayson County is paying Bells-Savoy EMT S44,000 each month for its temporary support. Shernian Shennan City Manager Scott Wall coufirmed Yhat Sliennan FD may continue the transfar service. "We are still studyiilg it and will liave to do some analysis of the cost benefits to the taxpayers and what future needs we will have before giving it to the (Sherman CiYy) Coiuncil to look at," Wall said. Shern,ian FD Capt. Doug Blackliwn said the fre departmenYs staff has been busier fhan usual in Lhe past 10 days. They are now averagiizg nine fransfers and 12 emergency runs per day, which Blackburn said breaks down into five runs per day, per ambulanee. Sherman FD also jumped in aixi agreed to back Lip ambulance service around Grayson Cowity. Friday morning, Blackburn said, a Sherman ambulance was sent fo Gordonville because the Wliitesboro-based ambulance was on another call. "Right now, we have iio choice. IYs kept evarybody busy, but we're hxndling it." "I know webe been given little notice of departure twice by the private companies that were doing transfers," Blackburn said. Wall said there are several things to look at before presentiizg the numbers to the Shernlan councilors. "Not every bill gets paid," Wall said. "Our collection rate 'rs somewhere under 50 percent on emergency runs."