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Lavaca County EMS reports growth, whole‑blood use and facility needs in FY2025 review
Summary
EMS Director Michael Furr told commissioners Lavaca County responded to 2,380 calls in 2025, transported 1,744 people, averaged 14:25 response time, expanded whole‑blood capability and now staffs 30 full‑time employees; Furr urged investment in station upgrades and new medic stations to relieve overcrowding.
Michael Furr, Lavaca County EMS director, delivered the service’s fiscal‑year 2025 report March 10 and urged the commissioners to consider facility upgrades to support 24/7 staffing.
Furr told the court EMS handled 2,380 calls last year with 1,744 transports and an average response time of 14 minutes, 25 seconds — acknowledging that the national urban benchmark is lower but noting the county covers roughly 1,000 square miles. "Our average response time is 14 minutes and 25 seconds," Furr said, adding that out‑of‑door (turnout) times and scene times are areas the department plans to target for improvement.
The director highlighted clinical and equipment investments: a whole‑blood refrigeration system and warming devices that allowed the department to administer whole blood in the field, and a drone program for search‑and‑rescue. He reported the operating budget for 2025 was $3,641,000; billing and reimbursements (including EM TF reimbursements) brought in about $1,548,595, reducing the county subsidy requirement.
Furr said staffing has improved, with 30 full‑time employees, including 22 paramedics and 15 EMTs, and several staff enrolled in paramedic and critical‑care courses. He pressed for improved station space, describing crowded sleeping quarters and cramped vehicle bays at several stations and suggesting the court consider funding a new medic station and other facility upgrades.
The court praised EMS efforts; the judge and commissioners committed to further discussion about capital needs and said EMS building projects (including Medic 5 in Moulton) will be part of upcoming executive‑session deliberations on options.
