Private ambulance company American Medical Response (AMR) announced it will lay off 130 employees in Pierce County at the end of the month, potentially impacting emergency service in some areas. According to West Pierce Fire & Rescue spokesperson Jenny Weekes, private companies like AMR contract with hospitals, calling ambulances as needed to transport patients to other facilities. Without those services, hospitals would have to rely on the 911 system for transportation. "These non-emergent calls have the potential to impact the 911 system because the fire engines and medic units that respond to them are then unavailable to respond to other calls without our jurisdiction, which could possibly be a light-threatening call," Weekes told KING 5. "The concern for an increase in those non-emergent calls is the potential burden on the 911 system and we want to make sure resources are available when they are needed most.” "I'm trying to understand why AMR is pulling out of the area," said Scott Adams, Assistant Chief of West Pierce Fire & Rescue. Fire crews tell KING 5 they are concerned with how this will affect Pierce County residents in their jurisdictions-- particularly when they need help fast. "Transport times to get to someone's house might potentially be longer," said Adams. Read the full story here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/reduction-private-ambulance-service-pierce-county-impacts/281-2f462bab-3707-4b55-939f-3942494f8e5a