AMR to Begin Providing Emergency Medical Services in Weakley County in TN Sept. 1
8.26.2026
AMR will continue around-the-clock advanced life support coverage from bases in Martin, Dresden and Greenfield.
Beginning Sept. 1, Weakley County residents will continue receiving 24-hour emergency medical care from locally based paramedics and EMTs as American Medical Response, a division of Global Medical Response (GMR), begins providing 911 and interfacility ambulance services under the county’s new contract.
Under the agreement, AMR will staff three advanced life support ambulances 24 hours a day, seven days a week from bases in Martin, Dresden and Greenfield. Many of the clinicians currently serving Weakley County will join AMR and continue caring for the community, preserving local experience, knowledge of the county and continuity for patients and community partners. Residents should continue calling 911 in an emergency, just as they do today.
“We recognize the strong foundation built by the clinicians who have served Weakley County for decades, and our priority is to provide a seamless transition for patients, healthcare partners and the community,” said Kent Martin, senior program director for Global Medical Response.
The Weakley County Commission selected AMR following a competitive procurement process focused on 24-hour advanced life support coverage, local staffing, operational readiness and responsible stewardship of county resources.
Supporting Continuity and Access to Care
Maintaining dependable local EMS coverage is particularly important in a county that spans approximately 580 square miles. Many patients can receive emergency and hospital care through West Tennessee Healthcare’s local hospital in Weakley County or its regional network. Jackson-Madison County General Hospital approximately 45 miles from Martin, provides advanced services including high-risk pregnancy care, neonatal intensive care, open-heart surgery and thrombectomy-capable stroke care.
In addition to emergency response, AMR will provide medically necessary interfacility transportation, helping patients move between healthcare facilities when they need specialized treatment or a different level of care.
The transition will also add an advanced life support quick-response vehicle and connect the local ambulance operation with GMR’s network of ground and air medical teams across the region. This network provides access to additional clinicians, ambulances, aircraft and operational support during major incidents or periods of increased demand.
“In a rural community, reaching the right care can require traveling well beyond the county,” Martin said. “EMS clinicians begin treatment before a patient reaches the hospital and help coordinate the next step in care. Our responsibility is to make that connection as safely and effectively as possible.”
Building on Established Ground and Air Coordination
Air Evac Lifeteam (AEL) 31 has served the area from its Martin base since 2003 and will continue working with local EMS, rescue and healthcare partners when air medical care is appropriate. Its flight clinicians provide advanced care during transport for critically ill or injured patients who need timely access to regional hospitals or specialty centers.
Because AMR and Air Evac Lifeteam are both part of GMR, the ground and air operations will work within the same regional network while building on Air Evac Lifeteam’s established relationships in Weakley County.
AMR will work with Weakley County E-911, local fire and rescue departments, hospitals, healthcare facilities and other community partners to coordinate patient care. As required by the county’s ambulance-service agreement, AMR will provide quarterly reports to the Weakley County Public Safety Committee.
Under the agreement, AMR will staff three advanced life support ambulances 24 hours a day, seven days a week from bases in Martin, Dresden and Greenfield. Many of the clinicians currently serving Weakley County will join AMR and continue caring for the community, preserving local experience, knowledge of the county and continuity for patients and community partners. Residents should continue calling 911 in an emergency, just as they do today.
“We recognize the strong foundation built by the clinicians who have served Weakley County for decades, and our priority is to provide a seamless transition for patients, healthcare partners and the community,” said Kent Martin, senior program director for Global Medical Response.
The Weakley County Commission selected AMR following a competitive procurement process focused on 24-hour advanced life support coverage, local staffing, operational readiness and responsible stewardship of county resources.
Supporting Continuity and Access to Care
Maintaining dependable local EMS coverage is particularly important in a county that spans approximately 580 square miles. Many patients can receive emergency and hospital care through West Tennessee Healthcare’s local hospital in Weakley County or its regional network. Jackson-Madison County General Hospital approximately 45 miles from Martin, provides advanced services including high-risk pregnancy care, neonatal intensive care, open-heart surgery and thrombectomy-capable stroke care.
In addition to emergency response, AMR will provide medically necessary interfacility transportation, helping patients move between healthcare facilities when they need specialized treatment or a different level of care.
The transition will also add an advanced life support quick-response vehicle and connect the local ambulance operation with GMR’s network of ground and air medical teams across the region. This network provides access to additional clinicians, ambulances, aircraft and operational support during major incidents or periods of increased demand.
“In a rural community, reaching the right care can require traveling well beyond the county,” Martin said. “EMS clinicians begin treatment before a patient reaches the hospital and help coordinate the next step in care. Our responsibility is to make that connection as safely and effectively as possible.”
Building on Established Ground and Air Coordination
Air Evac Lifeteam (AEL) 31 has served the area from its Martin base since 2003 and will continue working with local EMS, rescue and healthcare partners when air medical care is appropriate. Its flight clinicians provide advanced care during transport for critically ill or injured patients who need timely access to regional hospitals or specialty centers.
Because AMR and Air Evac Lifeteam are both part of GMR, the ground and air operations will work within the same regional network while building on Air Evac Lifeteam’s established relationships in Weakley County.
AMR will work with Weakley County E-911, local fire and rescue departments, hospitals, healthcare facilities and other community partners to coordinate patient care. As required by the county’s ambulance-service agreement, AMR will provide quarterly reports to the Weakley County Public Safety Committee.
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