GREENE COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – Greene County’s ambulance service is back in operation after financial troubles nearly shut down emergency care access for more than 7,000 residents.
The county’s two ambulances have been staffed and running since February 19, answering about 150 calls in the last month, according to EMS Director James Robinson.
At the end of 2025, the ambulance service ran out of money. The county commission pledged $90,000 to keep the service running temporarily through December.
For about a month, a temporary outside agency covered calls while leaders worked to get the service compliant with the state of Alabama.
“You never want to wake up at 2 o’clock a.m. threatening a heart attack and someone can’t get to you,” said Loretta Wilson, co-chair for the EMS board.
Wilson said the county has been able to provide necessary maintenance on the trucks to continue services.
“Things are looking better than they did in December,” Wilson said.
Robinson said small repairs like oil changes and tire rotations are needed but do not prevent the ambulances from operating.
The service relies on patient care reimbursements, local taxes, state funding, and donations from residents who have organized fundraisers.
The board said its focus is now on building a sustainable structure.
“We want to make sure that we know what the structure is. And that structure is starting with the bylaws, the articles of incorporation, you know, who’s responsible for what,” Wilson said.
The board said starting with the right foundation will prevent the situation from happening again.
The board plans to discuss the EMS legal framework at its next meeting.
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