The Russellville City Council approved a business license Monday night that will allow a new emergency medical services provider to begin serving area citizens.

Keller EMS was officially approved for business at Monday’s council meeting.

Keller EMS, which is a non-profit emergency medical services provider based in Colbert County, is stepping in to fill the void left by Transcare Ambulance Service, which officially closed on Nov. 11.

Russellville Mayor David Grissom said he received a letter from Transcare officials at the end of October that outlined their intent to close their Russellville office due to financial reasons.

Grissom said shortly after he received the letter, he was approached by officials from Keller EMS, who were interested in taking up where Transcare left off.

Bruce Carson, director of emergency medical services for Keller EMS, was present at Monday’s meeting and said his company was prepared to begin work as soon as their state license for doing business in Franklin County was approved.

“Keller EMS has been in business for 30 years,” Carson said.

“Our service has stood the test of time because of our commitment to quality, and we are looking forward to extending that service to this area.”

Keller EMS will join Pleasant Bay Ambulance Service as the emergency services providers for Russellville.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the city council approved the creation of an EMS committee that would be responsible for reviewing the current EMS ordinance, making necessary changes, and making sure the EMS providers follow the guidelines set out by the ordinance.

Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell will chair the committee that will consist of Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, Franklin County EMA director Roy Gober, Belinda Johnson with Russellville Hospital, Dr. Kevin G. Kelly, and Doug Hatton with Tharptown Volunteer Fire Department.

“The EMS situation is something that has come up several different times, and it is an important issue to me because I know it affects all of our people,” Grissom said.

“I have given this a lot of thought, and after reviewing the current ordinance again, I know there are things that can be improved on.

“These people who have been appointed to the EMS committee have a knowledge of the emergency medical field and are better equipped to take a serious look at this ordinance as it is today and to report back to the council with changes that can make the ordinance more effective and better for our citizens.”