Care Ambulance was awarded a new three-year contract to provide services to Pike County on Tueday.

Both the City of Brundidge and Pike County Commission deferred the choice between current contract holder Care, and competitor Haynes Ambulance to the City of Troy. Pike County E911 Director Chris Dozier and Troy Fire Chief Thomas Outlaw recommended Care.

Although Dozier was not present for Tuesday night’s Troy City Council Meeting, he addressed the Pike County Commission Monday and said his advice was based on across-the-board quicker response times that were promised in the companies’ bids.

Dozier said in 90 percent of cases, Care pledged a time two minutes faster than Haynes for urban and rural areas and five minutes faster in super rural areas.

“We’re ecstatic. We’ve built a longtime reputation of providing excellent service in Troy and we’re glad that was recognized,” said Care Ambulance Vice President Doug Tisdale.

Care’s previous contract expired at midnight Tuesday. The new contract went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today.

“When the clock strikes 12 (Tuesday), we’re going to expect you guys to be on the ball,” said Councilman Johnny Witherington.

Tisdale said that the company had not been waiting around to see if they’d be awarded the contract to upgrade their equipment.

“We don’t base that on contracts,” Tisdale said. “We constantly upgrade. We buy a new truck every year.”

Tisdale also said Car purchased a 12-lead monitor about a month ago that allows responders to send EKG readings directly to doctors from a patient’s home.

There are about 27 Care employees associated with the Pike County service area, according to Tisdale.