NANNETTE KILBEY-SMITH Wilson County District 3 EMS, which serves La Vernia, will install two fuel-storage tanks at Station 1 in La Vernia, as part of its efforts to battle increased fuel prices and anticipated fuel shortages.

La Vernia-area emergency services are feeling the pinch at the pump, just as local families are.

Both District 3 EMS and Wilson County District 1 Fire & Rescue, which serve the La Vernia area, have taken steps to combat the impact of skyrocketing fuel prices on their budgets and services.

District 3 EMS will install a 1,000-gallon diesel tank and a 400-gallon tank for unleaded gasoline at its Station 1 in La Vernia; the total cost of the two fuel tanks is approximately $15,000, approved June 14 by the Wilson County Emergency Services District 3 (ESD 3) board, which governs District 3 EMS.

“We are not exempt from inflation and the high costs of fuel,” District 3 EMS Director David Rice said. “This time last year, our May fuel expense was $6,614.95; our fuel bill for May [2022] was $10,946.60.”

With increasing fuel prices and the possibility of shortages, ESD 3 hopes to save some money on fuel by buying in bulk, Rice said.

The Wilson County ESD 1 board, which governs District 1 Fire & Rescue, took similar steps at the beginning of the year, according to Chief Chris Thompson; the storage tank should be delivered this month, he said.

“This was more strategic and more about having a month’s worth of fuel on hand to protect from fuel shortages during hurricanes and other major events,” the chief added. “It will save us about 20 cents per gallon, so it will help a little with fuel costs.”

The tanks will help in late-night runs, as well, explained Rice. He said some Wilson County convenience stores have recently experienced overnight thefts of diesel fuel and now are shutting the pumps off at night, meaning crews can’t refuel in the middle of the night.

The ESD 3 board amended its budget in March in light of fuel costs, moving $95,000 to support fuel expenses. With four months left in the current fiscal year, District 3 EMS anticipates exceeding its fuel budget.

District 1 Fire & Rescue — which provides firefighting and first-responder services — is already over-budget by about 30 percent for fuel, Thompson said, mostly due to the increase in fuel costs, but also because of a huge increase in winter grass fires.

ESD 1 has a contingency budget item for unforeseen events, which should cover the added expense.

“We are also under budget on other items so the District 1 budget is in good shape,” Thompson added. The district will assess closer to the end of the budget year, which ends in September; if necessary, the board will amend the budget to accommodate the cost of fuel.

But the price of fuel is having a knock-on effect in other ways, too. The cost of medical supplies and other items also is increasing; some items have tripled in price, or more. District 3 EMS is exploring substitutes for some supplies, as well as alternative medications, to save on costs and keep supplies stocked.

Supply issues also have impacted plans for a replacement ambulance, Rice said. Due to limited availability of truck chassis and parts, the lead time on ordering is about a year and a half, he explained. The board approved a letter of intent June 14 to get on the production schedule with Frazer Ltd., even though the ambulance won’t appear on a district budget until 2024.

Both ESD 1 and ESD 3 will be factoring the increase in fuel costs into their budgets for the coming fiscal year.

“Our preliminary budget has an increase of almost 50 percent over last year’s fuel budget,” Thompson said.

Wilson County ESD 1 Wilson County ESD 1 provides fire protection and first-responder services through District 1 Fire & Rescue to northeastern Wilson County, including the city of La Vernia, and the Kicaster and Sutherland Springs communities. The district levies a property tax of 7.97 cents per $100 of taxable property value in its coverage area to fund services. It also benefits from a sales and use tax of 1 percent in its service area, excluding the city of La Vernia. Learn more at www.district1fire.com.

Wilson County ESD 3 Wilson County ESD 3 provides emergency medical services to eastern Wilson County, including the cities of Stockdale and La Vernia, and the Kicaster and Sutherland Springs communities, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. To support these services, the district assesses a property tax in its service area, currently 8.73 cents per $100 of taxable valuation, and a 1-percent sales-and-use tax. For information, visit www.wcesd3.com/.

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