Central EMS takes over Forsyth County ambulance services Thursday

Central Emergency Medical Services, LLC will begin providing emergency medical services for Forsyth County at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, following a contract assignment approved by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners at a special called meeting on Jan. 13. County leaders say the transition is administrative and will not disrupt 911 response.

“Ensuring that our citizens receive quality public safety and emergency medical services is without question the highest priority for Forsyth County government,” said Commission Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos. “Our residents are, and will continue to be, protected. Please be assured that there will be absolutely no interruption to emergency medical services in Forsyth County.”

The change results from the assignment of the county’s existing contract with Advanced Ambulance Service, Inc., to Central EMS. Advanced Ambulance had been the county’s contracted ambulance provider since 2008. County officials confirmed that seven staffed ambulances will remain deployed across Forsyth County and ready to answer 911 calls.

For residents, the most immediate effect should be continuity. Calls to 911 and the county’s emergency response procedures remain the same. County leaders emphasized that public safety operations will continue without gap as the new provider takes over operations early Thursday.

The switch also marks a noteworthy administrative shift in a service that affects everyday safety across the county, from rural roads to residential neighborhoods. Emergency medical services are a core public safety function that directly affects response times, on-scene care, and hospital transport. Maintaining seven staffed units across the county aims to preserve existing coverage and response capacity during the handoff.

Local officials did not announce changes to billing, staffing details, or vehicle branding as part of the assignment; residents who have questions about non-emergency matters related to ambulance service should contact county offices for specifics. For medical emergencies, Forsyth residents should continue to call 911 as usual.

The takeaway? This is an administrative handoff meant to keep ambulances rolling and 911 responses steady. Keep your emergency contact information current, make sure your driveway and house numbers are visible to first responders, and call 911 if you need immediate help. Our two cents? A smooth transition now means the community can focus on what matters most - timely care when it counts.