NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - EMS Services, Police Take Steps To Save Gas

EMS Services, Police Take Steps To Save Gas

GALLATIN, Tenn. - Some Middle Tennessee stations are still out of gas.

Fortunately the shortage has not shut down emergency crews.

But some agencies are considering back up plans just in case.

As the numbers on the pump add up - so do the questions.

"I don't know how people are able to fill up their tanks or anything at $4, what is it now $4.29, $4.09 for the cheapest.  It's ridiculous," said Skip Martin, a driver.

On Friday, frustration kicked in once again.

"You couldn't even find gas," he said, "I mean, you were waiting in line forever so."

"Well, it's kind of a panic for everybody," said Ron Parker, Sr., a warrant officer for the Sumner County Sheriff's Office.

He worked Friday night when some gas stations started running out of fuel.

"Because you're getting low on gas then there's no plan to get gas. There's a problem of getting gas or parking a car," he said.

But parking the car is a problem for law enforcement.

"On a daily basis it certainly had an effect on law enforcement," said Sumner County Sheriff Bob Barker.

He said the department treats a gas shortage similar to high gas prices.

Deputies double up in cars, patrol on foot, and conduct business over the phone.

"All you can do from an administrative standpoint is try to consolidate try and conserve. But we have special duties with us," he said.

And emergencies that need to be attended to.

If deputies can't get gas at a gas station Barker said other county departments will provide fuel.

The sheriff hopes it never gets to that point. But he said the department has to be prepared just in case.

Because they expected higher gas prices this fiscal year, the Sumner County Commission approved an increase to the sheriff's department gas budget.

If the gas budget dries up Barker said he'll have to shift money from within the budget.

The last option is going back to the county commission mid-year and asking for more money.

Last spring the Sumner County EMS department and the sheriff's office had to ask county commissioners for more money to pay their fuel bills.