As the only EMS licensed to Hamblen County Morristown-Hamblen EMS operates a fleet of 10 ambulances, six at peak times.

Saturday, Hamblen County EMS presented its budget request to the Hamblen County Commission. It also brought the ambulance that the commission purchased last year for commissioners to see.

Last year, the commission made the decision to invest in public safety by investing in an ambulance. The ambulance runs 9-1-1 calls. This ambulance replaced a 2017 model that had aged out at 250,000 miles, just under the 300,000-mile limit.

A sticker is displayed on the back of the ambulance saying that it was purchased by the Hamblen County Commission.

“The investment you put in last year immediately has translated into improved emergency response capabilities for our citizens,” Director Danny Housewright said. “The truck is answering calls, transporting patients and saving lives.”

Last year, Hamblen County EMS ran 12,201 calls and transported nearly 10,000 patients. EMS currently operates a fleet of 10 ambulances, and staff up to six ambulances during peak times.

Housewright referred to the ambulances as not simply vehicles, but “Mobile Emergency Rooms.”

“They carry heart monitors, oxygen equipment, medications, radios and life-saving equipment,” Housewright said. “Every time an ambulance is out of service for repairs or mechanical issues, that impacts the system and effects our ability to respond in a timely fashion.”

Since 2021, the state of Tennessee recognizes EMS as an essential service. Under state law, counties are directed to ensure that licensed ambulance services are available to citizens. This is fulfilled with M-H EMS.

“We are somewhat unique that we accomplish that label without any reoccurring funding from the city or the county,” Housewright said. “We do it off of billing revenue in a healthcare environment that is forever changing.”

Increases in TennCare and Medicare are not keeping up with inflation costs, according to Housewright.

Housewright has also requested assistance from the City of Morristown for funding. He has not gotten any response from the city on his request.

“In conversations I’ve had, it’s not looking favorable,” Housewright said. “Much of the discussion continues to go back to the EMS as an ‘essential service’ and that is ‘the county’s’ responsibility.”

Regardless of where the funding comes from, their responsibility will remain the same, Housewright said.

“We are to provide dependable emergency medical services to residents of Morristown and Hamblen County,” he said.

That night, Morristown-Hamblen EMS was recognized with an EMS Excellence Award for Region II in Knoxville . Two different M-H EMS crews were recognized for two cardiac arrest saves.

“These citizens were ‘dead,’ their hearts had stopped,” Housewright said. “EMS went to work and resituated these individuals.”

Both individuals are back at home and met their crews that night.

Housewright also said that it’s not about having a luxury or expansion, but maintaining reliability, public safety and readiness.

“Delays in ambulance availability will directly affect outcomes in cardiac arrest, strokes, major trauma, respiratory emergencies; assistance the residents of Hamblen County expect when they call 9-1-1 to come quickly and reliably,” he said. “Our crews are committed to providing that service and they need to be able to do that service safely and effectively. Our county is continuing to grow and demand for EMS continues to grow with it. Our responsibility together is that EMS continues to grow to meet the demands before tragedy strikes.”

Housewright asked for another front-line Medix ambulance for the county, which includes the powerlift system for stretchers. Medix, based in Elkhart, Indiana, priced an ambulance to EMS for $212,000. Housewright asked for $208,608 last year, but the ambulance came in lower priced at $207,500.