Acadian Ambulance to acquire Priority One

Acadian Ambulance is acquiring Priority One Ambulance based in Silsbee, according to information provided to KFDM News by Jerry Romero, Acadian Vice President of Operations.

"I can confirm that Priority One and Acadian Ambulance are joining forces," Romero told KFDM News.

"We'll be acquiring Priority One EMS, effective July 13. "We are offering employment to all Priority One medics. We had a joint meeting Thursday night in Silsbee. Some support departments won't be offered employment. Others will be offered employment but might have to relocate."

Romero says he expects a seamless transition.

"It's important for us to make sure Priority One employees understand we want them in our Acadian Ambulance family. We want to offer the same quality of service as Priority. It's a win-win situation. Acadian can bring in more regional resources into the area. There will be no change in the coverage area. We'll provide the same services to the same customers. The telephone number will remain the same."

From Acadian Ambulance 

Acadian Ambulance Service and Priority One EMS have joined forces to strengthen and increase the emergency medical services in Southeast Texas. Jerry Romero, vice president of operations, says the company has reached an agreement with Priority One EMS of Silsbee, Texas, and plans to assume the operations of Priority One EMS effective July 14, 2009.  There will be no interruption of service, as all calls to Priority One EMS will be forwarded automatically to the Acadian Ambulance dispatch center.

David Andersen, owner of Priority One EMS, said, "We are working harmoniously with Acadian Ambulance throughout the next few weeks for a smooth transition.  We have enjoyed serving the people of Southeast Texas communities and know we leave our customers and our employees in good hands with Acadian."

"Priority One EMS and its employees have our deep respect as a leader in EMS. We are excited to offer employment to Priority One EMS medical professionals to our team," said Romero.  "All qualified Priority One EMS medics will be offered employment.  Each employee hired will receive at least equal to, if not greater, salaries.  Acadian is an "Employee Stock Ownership Plan" company with 75% of the company's stock owned by the employees. This agreement is a ‘win-win' for Acadian, Priority One EMS, the EMTs, our customers and the community at large," he said.

Acadian began operating in Texas in 2006 in Jefferson and Orange counties and in 2007 in Austin. After just one year in business in Austin, the Austin Chamber of Commerce selected Acadian Ambulance as one of the city's best and most admired companies for excellence in customer service. It was the only ambulance company nominated.

The company's history is rooted in ground and air ambulance service, and offers tremendous resources to Southeast Texas. In business for over 37 years, Acadian Ambulance Service provides 911 and non-emergency ambulance services under rigorous performance-based contracts for 38 counties and parishes in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.  Acadian employs more than 2,500 caring ambulance and support services employees.

Acadian has under its umbrella several other divisions.  "We're not your standard ambulance company," said Romero, "and we are proud to offer Southeast Texas varied services from the Acadian Companies."

Acadian Monitoring Services provides Telehealth monitoring services for patients that receive care in the home; Acadian On Call offers personalized medical alarms for seniors; Acadian On-Watch provides central alarm monitoring services; and Acadian's Mobile Monitoring offers vehicle and asset tracking using GPS technology.

Safety Management Systems, already well known in Texas, offers a proactive solution to maintaining a safe work environment with safety, environmental and training services, as well as providing onsite medical services to the offshore industry. 

"We are eager to provide the communities of Southeast Texas with prompt, professional, and courteous service, and look forward to the Priority One EMS and Acadian families joining together as one team," Romero said.

The American Ambulance Association has twice voted Acadian Ambulance Service as the best ambulance service in the nation by their Community Services Committee, the U.S. Senate honored Acadian with the U.S. Senate Innovation Award for being on the cutting edge of the EMS industry.  Inc. magazine recognized Acadian for extraordinary performance in rescuing hurricane victims, and honored the company with their first annual Bernard A. Goldhirsch Courage Award.

Acadian Ambulance is among the 120 ambulance services in the country that has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. For accreditation and re-accreditation, Acadian voluntarily underwent an intensive process that included comprehensive documentation and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services.

Romero said, "Accreditation signifies that ambulance services have met the ‘gold standard' determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider."