BUFFALO, Texas – After almost a week with no paramedics in Leon County, including on a busy stretch of I-45 between Dallas and Houston, a temporary ambulance will soon be in operation.

Legacy EMS, headquartered in Bryan/College Station, will station an ambulance in Buffalo beginning Tuesday night.

Friday night, News 8 reported Palestine pulled its free ambulance service out of Buffalo after losing more than $240,000 a year for over a decade. That move left 208-square miles of Central Texas - including the I-45 stretch and the towns of Buffalo, Oakwood and Flo - without EMS responders for emergencies.

Leon County Judge Byron Ryder told News 8 Friday that anyone with a medical emergency should take themselves to the hospital.

But Judge Ryder has now secured a temporary service over the next 25 days, which will be until voters can decide whether to create their own emergency services district with an ambulance.

“What we’re trying to do is provide interim care for the commonwealth of this area, expecting no tax subsidy and no contract,” said Kevin Carnes, Legacy EMS president and CEO, in a statement.

He also noted the move is an emergency fix, which will not be permanent.

“There will be no tax subsidy and no contract,” he said.

He also noted that Legacy will bill customers directly for services.

“It’s a chance for Legacy EMS to test the area and possibly offer a bid along with other EMS companies should ESD#4 pass," he said.

But voters have turned down ambulance service three times in the past – upset that property owners alone would foot the bill for the service.

If the proposal fails in the May election, Legacy EMS will leave the following day. But, if it finally passes, the statement said Legacy has agreed to assist during the transition.

Carnes said he will bring an ambulance and paramedics to Buffalo Monday. Their headquarters will be at the Best Western Motel. Other temporary living arrangements are expected to be made next week.

E-mail jwhitely@wfaa.com