NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — Early voting has begun for the November general election and people in Newton County are deciding whether to create an Emergency Service District Six.
On Monday, October 21, Newton County officials held a public hearing to raise awareness about this proposition.
Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran says the county desperately needs it own ambulatory service. County leaders say they can make the change without raising property taxes.
Newton County has been utilizing emergency medical services of neighboring counties when, and if, they are available. Judge Cochran says the time for a dedicated ambulance service is now.
"Two years ago, my son-in-law was in a wreck in rural area between Burkeville and Toledo Bend, you know, and it was an hour waiting on ambulance," said Cochran.
He recalls the night his son and two others lost their lives in a crash.
"It was pretty bad collision, so would a faster response time have helped? It could have," Cochran said.
While Newton County has five emergency service districts dedicated to fighting fires Cochran says they need an ambulance service. That's where the proposed ESD 6 would come in.
"It's a good option. And it's a start," said Cochran.
"They've never had a dedicated ambulance service to Newton County," said Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Gunter.
Gunter, who is also a Jasper Hospital board member says Newton County has been forced to borrow the services of neighboring Jasper and Orange counties for decades. He says it's more than their system and manpower can handle.
"A system built for roughly 5,000 calls a year is now running 7,500. We do have an occasional added unit when staffing allows. But staffing is a challenge. The contracted provider is Allegiance EMS. They go out of their way to bring resources from other operations here to assist with that call volume that has just really grown out of control," said Gunter.
Deweyville Fire Chief and Newton County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark McCall says that although his firefighters can respond at a moment's notice, they can't all provide critical care.
"I've been involved in too many wrecks, in too many fires, where people get burned, have heart attacks, whatever the case is, and you're sitting there trying to treat somebody, and you've got their family members standing over you, wanting you to do something. You need that advanced life support system that an ambulance service has to start IVS, to splint better, to shock a patient back if they have a heart attack," McCall said.
Both McCall and Judge Cochran agree Newton County voters must make their voices heard at the polls.
Cochran says Proposition A would not raise property taxes.
"It's a good option, and it's a start. The people are on the line," he told 12News.
If you're a Newton County voter and would like more information on Proposition A you can read more about it on Newton County's website.