The current ambulance service for the Brownwood and Brown County area will soon bear a new name as Allegiance Ambulance and Guardian EMS have merged. The two companies will bear the name of Allegiance Ambulance and according to the CEO of the company, David Phillips; this means improvements to the fleet and stability for the company in the ever changing world of medical services.
Guardian EMS had been the contracted 911 service in the Brown County area since January of 2011. Allegiance Ambulance recently acquired Guardian EMS and will begin operating the company under the Allegiance banner starting in June. Allegiance is a two year old company; however, its management team has over 6 years experience with another company before Allegiance was formed. The two companies will merge their administration and employees, with Guardian’s CEO becoming the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Allegiance Ambulance.
Stability of the company is said to be very strong and includes the backing of Red McCombs, the owner. McCombs is a self-made millionaire who according to Forbes Magazine made his fortune in the automotive, oil and real estate. According to Phillips, McCombs brings $40 million in capital to Allegiance with another $100 million committed plus a $100 million line of credit if necessary.
“The financial world for ambulances has changed, it will take a lot of money to make it in terms of these huge changes,” said Phillips. “Allegiance plans to invest heavily and stay here for a long time.”
Allegiance is operated only in Texas currently; however with operations in Denison, Texas, they also have medical licensing for Oklahoma.
Phillips stated that Allegiance will have the ability to recruit and maintain their employees, improve the fleet and equipment, as well as offer their employees better benefits.
Allegiance is based out of Georgetown, Texas and services
Brown County commissioners approved assigning their current contract with Guardian to Allegiance during Monday’s meeting of the court, extending it for another three years with the option of the court to be able to go out for bids on ambulance service at the end of the term.