Stone County opens ambulance station for Branson West, Kimberling City

A taxpayer-supported ambulance district in Stone County established in 2024 will soon open a new ambulance station located at 15275 Business Highway 13 in Branson West, built specifically to serve that community and nearby Kimberling City.

Stone County Ambulance District Executive Director Jeff Hawkins said the new facility is expected to be in service on March 2, when officials plan a flag-raising ceremony. It’s part of a larger plan to add five ambulance stations spread across Stone County.

Initially, the new station will be crewed by two first responders and serviced by one ambulance, Hawkins said, but it’s built to accommodate two ambulances with four crew members. SCAD contracts with Mercy EMS for ambulance service, and Hawkins said crews work 48-hour shifts.

Hawkins said the new Branson West facility allows SCAD to separate two ambulances currently doubled-up at a north Branson West station, bringing one ambulance farther south. “So we’re spreading out our resources,” he said.

According to a news release announcing the Branson West ambulance station, the idea is to reduce response times and improve service for the community.

The release also states the building comprises three garage bays, along with fully functional crew quarters and operational infrastructure. The completed station features a living room, kitchen and bedrooms accommodating four EMS personnel, as well as dedicated areas for equipment and medical supply storage. The station interior was completed by SMJ Builders LLC, according to the release. Additionally, the facility is equipped with essential utilities and a back‑up generator.

“As the ambulance district is building out our new stations, we’re planning for the future,” Hawkins said. “These are going to be 50-year-plus buildings, structures, that we’re putting in place. And so when we build them, we’re trying to design them with future growth in mind.”

In the release, Mercy EMS Director Bob Helm added, “The crew members are appreciative of the ambulance district’s work to provide the new facility. It has been a long time coming, and we look forward to continuing our dedicated service for the community.”

Over 80% of participating voters in the April 2, 2024, election approved the ambulance district and a 0.5% sales tax to support it, according to Stone County clerk records.

Hawkins said the young ambulance district only began collecting taxes in 2025. To build out services, he said SCAD’s board of directors contracted with developer Andy Mackey to lease new ambulance stations, including the Branson West location, for a period of five years.

Hawkins said the five-year lease-purchase agreement calls for an escalating monthly payment, currently in the range of $14,000 per month, with an option to purchase the station before the five-year lease ends, if the ambulance district becomes financially able to do so.

At the end of the lease period, the ambulance district will acquire the station outright, according to the release. The cost to build the Branson West station is undisclosed. According to the release, the opening of the new ambulance station followed an 11‑month development and construction process.