Group of officials, first responders, and community members holding a Montgomery County ribbon during a ceremony, with emergency vehicles and a toy fire truck nearby — A large crowd celebrates the new partnership outside the Waugh-Mt. Meigs fire station (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

A new partnership brings faster emergency response to eastern Montgomery County, marking a major milestone for local safety.

Community leaders, members and volunteer firefighters gathered together on Friday, Sept. 25, to celebrate this achievement. The Montgomery County Commission hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its expanded collaboration with Haynes Ambulance at the Waugh-Mt. Meigs Volunteer Fire Department. This location is one of eight volunteer fire departments situated throughout Montgomery County.

Banner reading "We Welcome Haynes Ambulance" with an ambulance photo, posted outside Waugh-Mount Meigs Volunteer Fire Department — A welcome banner displays the new Haynes Ambulance collaboration at the fire station. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

Located at 20 Line Creek Rd., just off Interstate 85 at exit 16, the volunteer fire department sits in an area that has experienced its fair share of interstate crashes. With this local station placement, help can arrive significantly sooner.

Eliminating response delays in Waugh + Mt. Meigs

Haynes Ambulance unit 101, a white van-style ambulance with orange and blue graphics, parked outside — A Haynes Ambulance unit stationed locally at the fire department (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

The ceremony officially honored the joint effort between Montgomery County, Haynes Ambulance and the area’s volunteer fire network as a crucial advancement for community safety. Guests celebrated the building’s expansion, signaling a shared pledge to faster response times, seamless coordination and enhanced safety.

“This is truly a milestone. Haynes will not be coming from the city of Montgomery; they will already be here.”
– Alma Bowen, president of the Waugh-Mt. Meigs Volunteer Fire Department.

White and orange Haynes Ambulance with tail number N334HF flying against a cloudy sky — A medical helicopter makes an appearance during the ribbon-cutting ceremony (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

Bringing emergency services closer to eastern Montgomery County

Sign reading Waugh-Mount Meigs Volunteer Fire Protection Authority Station 1, mounted on a brick building — The exterior sign marking the local volunteer fire department station (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

This new partnership ensures medical personnel are stationed directly within the district to address critical incidents swiftly. County officials noted that another local volunteer fire department district will soon join this collaboration, with additional announcements expected soon.

“This allows us to be out in the community, in this growing area, and provide a quicker response time and help people in the community.”
– Kirk Barrett, chief operating officer of Haynes Ambulance

What other areas in Montgomery County do you hope to see benefit from this collaborative emergency response model next? Tell us what you think on Facebook.

New partnership boosts emergency response in eastern Montgomery County

Eliminating response delays in Waugh + Mt. Meigs

Bringing emergency services closer to eastern Montgomery County

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Leonard Hall