A new rescue service began answering emergency calls in Nebraska City on Tuesday.

Its volunteers, who were introduced at a meeting of the Nebraska City City Council Monday, and its mission are in unison with the rescue squad that had served the city since 1967.

As the license for the Nebraska City Rescue Squad expired, city commissioners voted to create a city-operated rescue division and begin answering 911 calls.

Dr. Dean Thomson, who is co-medical director for the rescue squad with Dr. Brad Vasa, called it a great move.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about a long, long time,” he said. “The rescue squad has been providing an excellent service, but over time it has been more challenging. This will allow them to continue quality service,” he said.

The rescue squad has relied on volunteers since its inception 41 years ago, but by 2003 its leaders were calling for fundamental change. After a vote to disband the squad failed by one vote, organizers announced they would discontinue routine transfers and concentrate on 911 emergencies only.

In the squad’s early years, the volunteers would answer about 70 calls per year, but had answered that many in just two months leading up to the 2003 vote. Even without transfers, the number of calls continued to climb. The squad answered 200 emergency calls in 1990, compared to 700 in 2007.

Dr. Thomson said the squad was successful because of its volunteers’ commitment to the community and their willingness to learn, but the number of calls and the kinds of demands placed on responders before they reach the emergency room were straining resources.

Rescue Chief Jeanene Pummel said the city’s resources will allow the squad to hire a paramedic manager and a paid emergency technician to answer rescue calls and fill in gaps on duty shifts.

“I can go home and I can breathe sigh of relief, knowing that the 911 calls will be covered,” Pummel said. “Without this merger, we would’ve folded,” she said.

City Administrator Scott Bovick said it will take some time for the city to get its feet under it, but he believes the rescue division’s service fees will eventually cover its costs.

“The needs are sufficient to support a modern, reliable medical service,” he said.

Thomson said the city’s rescue division may be able to develop so that it can resume medical transfers and provide more services locally.

Bovick called Monday’s action an exciting, historic move. “We’ve taken a proactive approach to provide rescue service far into the future,” he said.

Assets transferred to the city include $692,098 and four ambulances. Bovick said the city will provide rescue service to Dunbar and all rural areas previously served by the squad

Since 2006, the rescue squad has benefited from donations of $356,000, including $288,000 from the Steinhart Foundation.

Mayor Adelung said she hopes the donations will continue. “We are going forth with great confidence that they will continue to be as supportive as they have been in the past,” she said.

Introduced as the city’s first volunteer roster were Ben Boehm, Cindi Bray, Jason Burr, Bob Burr Jr., Robert Conner, Greg Conz, Bill Curtis, Sue Dirksen, Connie Driever, Sheila Ervin, Helen Fouraker, Gregg Goebel, Sandy Hamlin, Frank Hogan, Joshua Hotsenpillar, Jim Marion, Sharon Morrow, Cecil Moyer, Gail Parks, Bryanna Powell, James Prudhome, Jeanene Pummel, Chris Richardson, Tiny Schmitz, Kelly Schreiner, Nathan Stanberry, Rodney Turpel, Andrew Ullsperger, Teresa Wademan, Wendy Wielechowski, Michelle Williamson and William Wittler.