Alachua County introduces new ambulance to enhance EMS services

Press release from Alachua County

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County will soon be rolling out a new resource to assist residents in critical need.

Starting on May 8, 2024, a new ambulance called ACT1 (Alachua County Transport) will be added to Alachua County Fire Rescue’s fleet. The unit will aid in the availability of ambulances for high-acuity emergencies and play a vital role in delivering timely medical assistance to those community members.

The ACT1 unit, which gets its name from the original ambulances the county staffed, will be housed in east Gainesville, near Station 30, and will be staffed with two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

“As our community and healthcare undergo constant evolution, it is imperative for us to proactively adapt to improve the services we provide,” says Assistant Chief of EMS Misty Woods. “This echoes the ACFR mission statement of enhancing and caring for the lives of those in our community through preparedness and an immediate response to any and all of life’s emergencies.”

The ambulance represents the commitment to a model of service delivery that is data-driven and tailored directly to the community’s needs, ensuring that both residents and visitors of Alachua County receive the highest quality of medical care when they need it most. Future initiatives from ACFR include a community health team, the introduction of point-of-care telemedicine, and an opioid overdose prevention and outreach team. 

Alachua County extends its gratitude to all Fire Rescue personnel and their tireless dedication and service to the community. ACFR wants to recognize Kevin Welch and Daniel Marrero (pictured) and their desire to push this expansion forward. Both EMTs have undergone specialized training in preparation for the launch of this program.