Wake County EMS consolidating ambulance services

Beginning May 4, Wake County EMS will operate under a single, unified agency.

Currently, the Wake County Department of EMS provides 70% of 911 ambulance services and contracts with two nonprofit agencies, Cary EMS and Eastern Wake EMS, to supplement ambulance response.

Out of North Carolina's 100 counties, 12, including Wake County, have multiple 911 ambulance providers.

"A single-provider approach is the most affordable way to serve our residents will meeting the increasing demand for services from our growing population," said Wake County EMS Director/Medical Director Dr. Jose Cabanas in s statement.

The consolidated agency will operate under the name Wake County Department of EMS. Employees with Cary EMS and Eastern Wake EMS will be offered jobs with the new agency, according to officials.

The same number of EMS crews and ambulances will remain available and no areas will lose EMS coverage in the consolidation.