FLOYDADA – Some major changes have happened in recent weeks for Floydada’s EMS service, and residents in the city are much safer for it.

Late last month the new Ambulance 1503 went into service, replacing a nearly 20-year-old model. The Mobile ICU ambulance can work as a trauma center or patient transport for people experiencing all levels of medical emergency, and is one of two units available for such operations.

The unit was custom-built for Floydada EMS, with director Katrina Gooch saying all of her staff had input on how the ambulance should operate, including down to the emergency lights on the back of the unit.