On Tuesday, July 21 2022 The Blount 911 Board voted to begin negotiations with Lifeguard Ambulance Service for the Blount County Ambulance contract. Blount EMS will continue to provide ambulance services through the contract expiration on September 30. The new company, Lifeguard Ambulance Service, said it would allow the current Blount EMS workers to keep their job and transition to the new company if they choose to do so.