WHARTON — The City of Wharton EMS received several positive developments Monday, with a newly remounted ambulance entering service, a $350,000 state grant awarded for a new ambulance, and the City Council approving the purchase of new handheld ultrasound devices for emergency responders.

During Monday night’s Wharton City Council meeting, City of Wharton EMS Director Christy Gonzales announced that Unit 1123, one of the department’s newly remounted ambulances, has officially been placed into service.

“We were able to put one of our new remounted ambulances in service,” Gonzales told council members, noting that Unit 1123 has been serving the community for nearly a week.

Gonzales also announced that Wharton County was awarded a $350,000 grant from the State of Texas for the City of Wharton to purchase a new ambulance. She said the grant was approved during the Wharton County Commissioners Court meeting earlier Monday.

In addition to those announcements, the City Council approved the purchase of three Butterfly Ultrasound devices for the City of Wharton EMS through the BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Program.

The handheld ultrasound devices allow paramedics to perform rapid bedside imaging while responding to medical emergencies, helping assess conditions such as internal bleeding, heart function and other life-threatening injuries before patients arrive at the hospital.

Combined, the new ambulance, the remounted Unit 1123 now in service, and the addition of portable ultrasound technology represent continued investments in emergency medical services for residents in Wharton and the surrounding area.