Emergency Services Overhaul: What’s Next for White Deer and Groom?

By Christian Dailey, chrdaile@ttu.edu

On January 30, 2025, the White Deer City Council took a bold step: It voted to establish an Emergency Services District for the county's eastern side of the city, a move mirrored by the town of Groom. 

Detailed in the meeting, the overhaul ends decades of reliance on Hemphill County’s Emergency Management System. It introduces a $100 evaluation fee as well as potential tax hikes. 

For the roughly 2,000 residents in both towns, however, the question looms: Will this promise of local control deliver faster help in a crisis or leave them paying more for less? 

The most immediate concern is response time. Every minute counts in rural areas like White Deer and Groom, where the nearest hospital is 30 miles away. 

The White Deer Council suggests the Emergency Services District could streamline coordination, potentially cutting delays from Hemphill’s broader system. Yet, the end of mutual aid raises fears of gaps during peak demand – Imagine a multi-car accident overwhelming the new district’s single ambulance.

“I do get complaints if there has been an accident or a heart attack, saying ‘Hey, why did it take so long?” said Johnson County Commissioner Rick Bailey, 

Financially, the $100 evaluation fee is just the start. The mention of tax implications suggests a property tax increase to sustain the Emergency Services District, burdening families already living on stretched budgets. 

The council argues the cost spreads the load, but with median incomes below $40,000, resistance is brewing. Service quality hangs in the balance. 

A local Emergency Service District could attract dedicated staff, but small towns struggle to retain trained Emergency Management Technicians. The transition risks understaffing or outdated equipment as the district builds from scratch.

“As the population grows, so will the need for more ambulances,”  said Lamb County Judge James “Mike” DeLoach.

The only difference is that the population is not growing significantly in Carson county. 

The Emergency Services District’s launch is a test of small-town resilience. Faster responses could save lives, as seen in nearby Perryton, where the local district cut response times by 4 minutes. 

But failures, delayed aid, or financial strain could erode trust, echoing struggles in rural Texas towns like Claude, where EMS cuts sparked outrage. The council must balance innovation with reality, ensuring funding covers training and equipment. 

For now, White Deer and Groom wait –  their sirens silent, their future uncertain.