BIG SPRING, Texas — The Big Spring Professional Fire Fighters Association has announced a significant change in the city’s emergency medical services.
Effective Thursday, May 30, Allegiance Mobile Health has been contracted to handle EMS responses for the City of Big Spring.
Despite the change, the local firefighters will continue to serve as first responders and provide initial care during emergencies. “Allegiance EMS will now commence treatment and transportation for 911 emergencies,” said Chanley Delk, President of The Big Spring Professional Firefighters Association.
The decision to partner with Allegiance Health comes in the wake of staffing shortages within the fire department. The department is currently operating with 17 fewer firefighters, equating to a 28% reduction in shift personnel. This shortfall has led to an increased reliance on overtime to maintain operations.
Even with the transition of EMS responsibilities to Allegiance, the fire department’s staffing remains 25% below the safe staffing level recognized nationally. The city hopes to remedy this within the next year and potentially revert to a fire department-based EMS model.
