Johnstown city officials are taking steps to create an ambulance service that would have first priority in responding to emergency calls in the city. Johnstown Fire Chief Bruce Heberer said the city ambulance service would operate out of the fire department and would be staffed by fire department members with paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician training. "This is something that's been in the works for over a year," Heberer said. "We're already conducting basic EMT training here at the fire department for about 12 guys, and then we're going to proceed with [Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support] training and purchase an ambulance and some equipment." Establishing an ambulance service is something other nearby cities have done in recent years, including the city of Amsterdam and the city of Glens Falls.