ABILENE, Texas -- The Abilene Fire Department is one step closer to running E-M-S services through there department. In the past, Metro has handled the ambulance service.

At Thursday's Abilene City Council meeting, James McCoy was named board chairman of the newly formed Emergency Medical Services committee.

The committee has been formed to determine whether the Abilene Fire Department should take over E-M-S services in the Abilene area.

Several Members have prior medical experience.

Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald says the board chairmanship is a six-month appointment.

"It has the opportunity if necessary to be extended, so that this group could carry out the business of studying the opportunity for an EMS by the abilene fire department," Archibald said.

Local pharmacist James McCoy is scheduled to report back to City Council on Feb. 24.

He says. " the budget will be looked at, the different kinds of care. The locations that the fire department can provide, versus ambulance service. We'll take a look at all the recommendations they want us to look at, and make a good decision."

Archibald did mention the preliminary approval of funds for the fire department to handle E-M-S services in the coming year's proposed budget.