Newton County Secures Dedicated EMS Service: Allegiance Mobile Health Coming in 2026

NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — For the first time in Newton County history, residents will have dedicated, locally funded ambulance coverage — a move many say has been decades in the making.

On Monday night, the Newton County Emergency Services District (ESD) 6 board approved a contract proposal from Allegiance Mobile Health, the same provider serving Jasper County. The decision, fueled by a 2% sales tax approved by voters in May, means faster response times, dedicated coverage, and peace of mind for families across the county.

“Hopefully by January 1, the contract’s in place, the ambulance is in service, and we’re moving forward,” said Charles Duckworth, President of ESD 6 and Fire Chief of Burkeville VFD. “We are working diligently to get this going. It is happening — it’s just a slow process, and there’s a lot to do.”

Duckworth said the initial plan is to station two ambulances locally — one in Burkeville and one in Trout Creek — with hopes of adding a third within 12 to 18 months as funding builds.

The board received bids from Allegiance and Acadian, but Duckworth said the decision was clear.

“Acadian was far-fetched from Allegiance by milestones,” he said. “Allegiance was the one that was chosen, which is good for us.”

For Duckworth, who has worked alongside Allegiance for years, the partnership felt natural.

“We’ve worked hand in hand with Allegiance for a long time. We know how they operate, and they know how we operate. It’s better for everybody.”

The service will be funded by a 2% local sales and use tax, which begins generating revenue in October. Officials emphasize this new tax does not affect property taxes — it only applies to goods and services purchased within the boundaries of ESD 6, outside the City of Newton.

The district previously collected no taxes, meaning there was no sustainable way to fund EMS service until voters approved the measure.

According to informational materials distributed by ESD 6 ahead of the election, a $250,000 private donation has also been pledged toward the purchase of ambulances once tax collections begin.

Newton County’s 12,500 residents have long faced challenges in emergency medical response. Without a dedicated EMS contract, the county has relied on outside agencies and neighboring counties, often facing longer wait times in life-or-death situations.

Dedicated service under ESD 6 will change that.

Duckworth said the board is meeting regularly to finalize contract details with Allegiance and prepare facilities for the rollout.