SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. -- Changes are soon coming just north of Spokane for how the local fire district responds to emergencies.

Spokane County Fire District 9 said it will replace American Medical Response's (AMR's) ambulance transport services with its own operation next year, aiming to improve emergency response times and eliminate transport costs for residents.

Fire Chief Matt Vinci, who took over the department earlier this year, said the transition will create better care for patients by keeping emergency services within one agency rather than transferring between multiple providers.

"In our business, our response times are important," he said.

The fire district has been evaluating the ambulance transport service since Vinci became chief. In July, the department presented several

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