 In hopes of acquiring a certificate of need for an ambulance service, a hearing was held between the City of Prestonsburg and state officials to dispute an objection from emergent care. Thursday we spoke with Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton about the hearing. There's a shortage of personnel out there, there's a shortage of paramedics, there's a shortage of EMTs and we need to utilize the workforce that we currently have employed and try to fill that void for emergency calls. Now it doesn't just help the City of Prestonsburg, if we're able to answer the emergency calls from the City of Prestonsburg, that creates more ambulances ready to go out into the county to take care of other issues that are going to come available or that come in need of and we can, by us taking that off their plate it's going to offer up some room for them. Due to the lack of personnel Stapleton says getting to residents is difficult as their fire station is solely tasked with the duty. Stapleton says having an ambulance service will help. You know a lot of times they see our fire department rope and they have to go to emergency medical sit-call with a big fire truck. That puts work in turn on that fire truck. For instance, taking one of our trucks that holds water out and if it says for a period of time as seen there's a chance that pumps could be damaged, gaskets could be damaged. It could effectively be able to use that in a fire when needed. By being able to respond in an ambulance we can relieve a lot of that concern. At Pikeville Medical Center we believe that together we can make a difference in the fight against cancer. We are proud to have patients who have experienced successful outcomes over many years. As always we believe in the power of faith. Pikeville Medical Center where cancer can be defeated. Lastly if the certificate is acquired Stapleton says they are ready to take on the role. I hope we get our CON application approved and we're able to move forward. We're ready to take steps as quickly as possible. I know the fire department is excited about being able to take on this new service for the city and for the citizens and you know it's all about the well-being of the people that pay their taxes. They pay their salaries. These people are out there and they deserve this and it's not the one, this is a need. The hearing will continue Friday at January 21st. A decision for the certificate will be made within 60 days. For Mountain Top News, I'm Joel Chorjol.