WHARTON — Wharton City Council has approved an ambulance provider permit for Viking Enterprises Inc., doing business as City Ambulance Service, allowing the private company to operate within the city under Wharton’s ambulance rules.
Council approved the permit during its Sept. 28 meeting. City officials later confirmed to Wharton Post that the permit, along with the other agenda items considered that night, was approved without changes.
The permit does not replace Wharton EMS as the city’s emergency ambulance service.
Under the city’s ambulance provider rules, emergency calls originating inside Wharton are handled by City of Wharton EMS. If a private ambulance service receives a direct emergency call originating within the city, it must refer that call to Wharton EMS.
The ordinance also requires private companies to obtain an ambulance provider permit before picking up nonemergency patients within the city. During a public calamity or major disaster, a permitted provider must make its equipment and personnel available to the city manager.
According to the City of Wharton EMS Department, Wharton EMS staffs three full-time, 24-hour ambulances.
Company has faced lawsuits over reported data breach
City Ambulance Service has also faced three proposed class-action lawsuits in Harris County related to a reported cyberattack earlier this year.
The lawsuits were filed by three patients and one employee and allege the company failed to adequately protect sensitive medical, financial and personal information.
Those allegations have not been proven in court, and the cases were filed as proposed class actions.
The lawsuits stem from a reported 2026 data breach involving information collected by the ambulance company. Public reporting on the cases has said the information at issue may include medical records, financial information and other personally identifying information.
ESD No. 3 agreements also approved
During the same meeting, council approved two agreements involving Wharton County Emergency Services District No. 3 — one covering emergency medical services and another covering administrative services.
The agreements continue the city’s working relationship with ESD No. 3 for emergency medical services in the district.
City officials told Wharton Post that all items considered during the Sept. 28 meeting were approved without changes.
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