Two new EMS stations set to open to meet increase in medical emergency needs in Northern Hays County

Rambo Masonic Lodge to commemorate building cornerstones in public ceremony July 17

Construction of two new EMS stations 74 and 75 is nearly complete and both are expected to be operational later this month to serve the emergency medical calls or residents in the northern areas of the county.

North Hays County EMS is the emergency medical services provider for the northern portion of Hays County, including Dripping Springs, Driftwood and Henly, with a service area covering some 244 square miles. The two new locations will improve response times, helping to preserve human life, allowing Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics to provide the critical and timely care needed and if necessary, transport patients to medical facilities,” according to Bob Luddy, district administrator for the North Hays County EMS.

EMS stations 74 and 75 are architectural twins and designed to house up to three crews of two EMTs/ paramedics and ambulance rigs. The stations have living and sleeping quarters for three crews who provide emergency medical service readiness 24 hours, every day.

On July 17, at 11:30 a.m., members of the Rambo Masonic Lodge No. 426 will hold a commemoration ceremony to celebrate the building completion.

The ceremony is for both stations 74 and 75 but will be done at station 75 located at 31331 Ranch Road 12 in Dripping Springs.

For now, each station will house one ambulance each and its two-person crews over three shifts. Station number 74, on Heritage Oaks Drive also has a building for administrative offices.

The laying of the cornerstone and the commemoration ceremony is a longstanding American ritual beginning with Benjamin Franklin who, while Grand Master of Pennsylvania, established the tradition with the cornerstone laying of the state house in Philadelphia. Perhaps the most famous of all was when President George Washington, also a Mason, in 1793 laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol Building. Today, Freemasons around the country are proud to carry on the tradition that our forefathers began centuries ago. The public is welcome at the event.

The new stations are part of a longterm strategy by Hays County EMS to serve the growing population in the northern part of the county. “These stations will cut our response time as we stage resources where they are most needed. They are designed to meet our needs now and, in the future,” Luddy said.

Luddy added that the district is seeing an increase of 8-10% per year in emergency medical calls. In 2023, the district responded to 2,800 calls up form 2,500 calls in 2022. This year, he expects his crews to respond to more than 3,040 calls.

Luddy added that the stations are designed to accommodate added EMT crews and their rigs to meet the demand of a growing community.

The district is planning to add another permanent facility EMS building in the FM 150/FM 1826 area to serve Driftwood’s growth. Currently the district stages one EMS crew on leased land from the Driftwood golf club. The commemoration ceremony on July 17 completes the construction phase of the new buildings. Luddy said the district plans an open house at the stations this fall.