THE HISTORY OF SACHSE'S AMBULANCE SERVICES


The Sachse Fire Rescue ambulance fleet now includes Ambulance-1 and Ambulance-2.  The newest ambulance, Ambulance-1 is housed at Station No. 1 on the south / east side of Highway 78.  Ambulance-2 is housed at Station No. 2 and services the north / west side of town.  This allows for total coverage with neither unit having to cross the railroad tracks unless the other unit is out of the city or on a call.


In September 1989, Sachse contracted with Central Ambulance, a private emergency ambulance service, to become Sachse’s EMS provider.  At that time, Central Ambulance was the only service providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) that was willing to serve Sachse at a reasonable rate.

In 1991, SVFD entered in to an Interlocal Agreement with NCTCOG for 9-1-1 service, equipment, and addressing maintenance of 9-1-1 equipment.

In April 1998, when Central Ambulance was unable to fulfill the obligations of the ambulance agreement, East Texas Medical Center Emergency Medical Service (ETMC/EMS) took over.  In July 1999, ETMC/EMS advised they would have to pull out if they could not receive a subsidy from area users.  In August 1999, the Southeast Collin County EMS Coalition was established.  At the request of several surrounding cities, Sachse joined the Southeast Collin County Ambulance Coalition for a one-year term. 

In September 2000, ETMC/EMS informed Sachse they are removing ambulance service from Farmersville and Princeton.  It was at this time that Sachse began experiencing slow responses and unavailability of a primary ambulance.  ETMC/EMS offered a back-up ambulance to the City of Sachse to run in a back-up mode only.  Chief Kendrick submitted a proposal to ETMC/EMS for a 50/50 split of commitment from Sachse and ETMC/EMS.  From this proposal, the current service evolved.

As part of the current contract, ETMC/EMS donated two fully stocked ambulances to two coalition cities according to demand on the system.  Wylie took possession of one ambulance and Sachse took possession of the second ambulance.  Sachse’s FD operates the ambulance as primary responder within the city limits of Sachse staffed by Sachse part-time personnel.  It also acts as a back-up ambulance within the Coalition and Dallas County, responding when not on a call within Sachse.  Paramedics and EMT’s sign up for eight-hour shifts to man the ambulance.  They are paid an hourly rate based on their classification.  Sachse, along with Wylie, Murphy, Lucas, Lavon, Parker and St. Paul, make up the Southeast Ambulance Coalition and share three ambulances.  Of the 29 volunteer firemen on the department, 24 are classified as either paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). 

In September 2002, the City Council appropriated funds in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget to purchase a new ambulance with the vision of starting up a city-run ambulance service.  In March 2003, the City Council passed a resolution withdrawing from the Southeast Collin County Ambulance Coalition effective September 30, 2003, and subsequently, in April 2003, authorized the purchase of a new ambulance.  City-run ambulance service started in  October 2003.  Ambulance service fees are collected by an ambulance billing and collection service who deals with the accounting procedures. 

"The idea of running our own ambulance actually came from the men in the department and I pursued the plan," Chief Doug Kendrick said.  "This new service would not have been possible if not for the dedication, care and concern these men feel for the community."

Fiscal year 2004-2005 budget included funds to purchase an additional ambulance to replace the older 1994 model ambulance.  The new ambulance, purchased in October 2004, was placed into operation in December 2004, running out of Station No. 1.  This gives the department two new,  fully-equipped ambulances staffed by Sachse's own Fire Rescue personnel to serve the citizens of Sachse.