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Friendswood EMS defends Type 1 ambulances as call volume rises; council hears staffing, cost details
Summary
Friendswood Emergency Medical Services told council that its Type 1 ambulances and current staffing model best meet patient-care needs as call volume approaches capacity. Medical director and EMS leaders warned that smaller van-style ambulances limit care and urged cautious budgeting as the department plans a third truck.
Friendswood’s emergency medical services presented an operational and budget briefing to the City Council on Nov. 9, outlining staffing, call volumes and vehicle choices as the department nears the capacity for a third ambulance.
Chief of EMS (name on file with the department) told council the division employs 49 people — 14 full-time medics, 18 part-time medics and 17 volunteers — and operates four licensed Texas Department of State Health Services mobile intensive care units, with two units staffed 24/7. The service reported about 3,700 calls this year and expects roughly 3,900 calls in 2026, with about 60% of responses resulting in patient transports.
Dr. Abel Longoria, the service’s medical director, said Friendswood uses Type 1 ambulances because they provide the workspace, equipment and durability needed for advanced life support in the field. "If we start looking and changing things, it could jeopardize some of those awards and jeopardize some of those standards," Longoria said, arguing that smaller van-type vehicles can restrict clinicians’ ability to provide interventions during the “golden hour.”
Council members asked staff how Friendswood compares with neighboring cities. Chief and Longoria said larger neighbors often run three or more trucks; Friendswood is approaching the volume that would justify a third staffed vehicle and has included that addition in its multi-year financial plan. Staff said the type-1 chassis has higher upfront and life-cycle costs but noted it permits multimodal care, bariatric transport and better road clearance during flooding.
The presentation also reviewed experiences from nearby jurisdictions that tested van-type ambulances. Council heard that some local agencies had set aside van units for low-acuity standby but then returned them to reserve status because they were operationally limiting. Staff said any consideration of alternate vehicles would need to account for staffing and overall system performance, not only vehicle purchase price.
Council members thanked EMS leadership for the briefing and noted the department’s awards and response times. No formal action was taken; the presentation informs future budget discussions about adding equipment and personnel.
