Local ambulatory provider American Ambulance Services has been sold to Jasper-based Regional Paramedical Services.

The American Ambulance Services office will remain open and most of the 25 current employees should be retained.

American Ambulance Services is one of two ambulatory providers in Cullman County, along with Cullman Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Former owner Randy Wilson said economic factors played a large part in his decision to sell the 16-year-old business.

“When you keep hearing about possible Medicare cuts, the economy, and things like that, it can take a toll,” he said. “We weren’t about to go out of business or anything, but we were facing some cuts to stay under the curve. This was an opportunity to keep the company going and ensure my people still have jobs.”

Wilson will be retained by Regional Paramedical Services (RPS) for the next six months to help with the transition.

“I feel comfortable with RPS and think they’re a great company,” Wilson said. “This should be an easy transition for the community. The faces and the phone number will stay the same, there will just be a different name on the uniform … It has been a pleasure to serve this community and we’ve made a lot of good friends along the way.”

Eric Pendley, RPS district manager, said he is excited to see his company expand into Cullman County.

“We have always wanted to be here, and I live here, so it’s personal for me,” the West Point resident said. “The only problem is that there were already two services here and there just wasn’t room for three.”

By having an ambulatory presence in nine near-by counties, Pendley said it should make Cullman County even safer.

“If things get busy, we can roll more trucks in to help out,” he said. “It means this area will have even more resources.”

With similar polices and standards already in place, Pendley said he expects the transition to go smoothly.

“There is great service already being provided, so we just want to keep that up,” he said. “We just want to get them back to work in the community. We’re blessed to have these folks on staff.”

David Waid, RPS director of operations, said he looks forward to serving the area.

“We just want to take care of folks that need EMS services,” he said.

Regional Paramedical Services operates out of nine different counties within Alabama. The company was founded in 1987.

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.