POTTSBORO - Officials dedicated the opening of the centrally located Preston Emergency Medical Services facility Friday, which is staffed around the clock, houses two ambulances and serves a 98-square-mile area. "We've been working at this for a long time, and to get it done and to see it have this grand opening is special," Mike Davis, president of Preston Volunteer Emergency Services, said.
The new facility located near the intersection of F.M. 406 and State Highway 289 began operations in January, but Davis said they have been working for about two years to plan and construct the $400,000 EMS station.
“It’s bigger and better and a better location,” Davis said. “It allows us to get to emergencies on a more balanced time.”
Previously, the ambulances were housed about three miles north at the Preston Fire Station on Highway 289. Davis said the location of the new station is more strategically placed as it is near a major intersection and centralized for the area it serves.
Following the ceremony, tours were given through the facility, which has an office, three bedrooms, a kitchen, a living area and a large garage with two oversized doors.
Riggs said Preston EMS is staffed with 12 full-time EMTs and paramedics. Compared to their previous facilities, he said this building is much better.
“It feels great to have the ceremony and for all the support that showed up,” Riggs said. “… It’s just an extremely nice facility.”
The EMS station was funded from five years of grants and donation.