LEWIS COUNTY, Ky (WSAZ) - It’s been a long time coming for Lewis County to get its own county-wide EMS.

For Deputy Director of Lewis County EMS, Derrick Lykins, ‘it’s a dream come true’ to have a county-wide ambulance service where he calls home.

“It’s awesome. It’s amazing to be able to come back and serve my people you know. The people of Lewis County,” Lykins said.

This is the first county ambulance service. In the past, the county partnered with Portsmouth Emergency Ambulance Services, but that partnership ended in early April.

New ambulance service on the way

This brings the opportunity to Lewis County to start their own EMS service.

Director Michael Byble says things have been “very busy” since the agency’s run started.

“As of last night, we’re up to a hundred and I want to say 56 calls since May 31st. We’ve used mutual aid. We’ve had some of our neighboring counties come in and help us while our crew was out on a call,” Byble said.

Byble also said the feedback from the community about their runtimes has been positive.