BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — Blount County may lose ambulance transport services by the end of the year, officials warned, raising concerns about emergency medical response for residents.

The Blount County Fire and EMS Association said the potential shutdown could put every resident at risk if contracts are not renewed and funding is not secured.

Clay Jones of the association said delayed ambulance response could have life-or-death consequences.

“If they do have to wait 45 minutes to an hour for an ambulance in the future or if a firefighter has to look down at a patient and say, 'I'm sorry, there's not an ambulance coming. Get in my pickup truck. I'm going to drive you to the hospital,'" Jones said. "It’s a harsh reality."

Oneonta Fire Chief Tyler Seehusen said smaller municipalities

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