Kent County Fire Company to Offer Ambulance Service

A Kent County fire company is starting to offer ambulance service.

In response to an increase in the number of calls for medical incidents in recent years, the Houston Volunteer Fire Company began offering ambulance service on Thursday.

Robert Scott, EMS chair and vice president of the Delaware fire company, says the company received about 500 calls over the last year. He says the ability to directly transport people to hospitals is much needed.

The fire company plans to hire 24 part-time emergency medical technicians to cover shifts. Scott says the ambulance and other equipment cost the fire company about $237,000, but another $200,000 will be needed annually to pay those working the service.