County Receives Ambulance through Grant

Forsyth County now has a county-owned ambulance to provide assistance for emergency medical calls, thanks to a recent grant received from St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens. The ambulance was awarded to the Forsyth County Fire Department after St. Mary’s outsourced its EMS service.  

Forsyth County sought the grant to assist the Fire Department in maintaining their ability to serve the county’s growing need for emergency services, according to Fire Chief Danny Bowman. The county has a contract with a local ambulance service provider, and this ambulance will be able to assist during any major accidents or medical emergencies.  

“The primary objective in applying for this ambulance grant was to have a county-owned vehicle that meets all Georgia Department of Human Resources and Region 2 EMS Council guidelines as applies to the county’s transport license,” Bowman said. “We will now have the ability to secure our transport license with a county-owned vehicle rather than have it tied to a lease vehicle from a contract provider.”  

The ambulance will also be utilized by the Fire Department’s Training Division in the training and re-certification of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics.  

“The Forsyth County Fire Department staff is most appreciative of this grant, which will assist our EMTs and paramedics in providing quality and professional service to our community,” Bowman said.  

Including the ambulance given to Forsyth County, St. Mary’s granted eight ambulances to agencies and fire departments throughout Georgia.