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CEO of defunct First Med opens Tenn. ambulance co., plans to buy NY firm

He’s offering $5K bonuses to recruits; some are skeptical after First Med closed overnight, leaving hundreds without jobs

Knoxville News-Sentinel

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville-based Priority Ambulance said Wednesday that it plans to purchase Kunkel Ambulance Service of Utica, N.Y.

Terms of the deal, which must be approved by the New York State Department of Health, were not disclosed.

In a news release, Priority CEO Bryan Gibson said Jack Kunkel, the company’s president and owner, and Cathy Kunkel would remain with the company’s management team.

“Kunkel Ambulance has a long history of delivering great emergency and nonemergency services to the people of the Mohawk Valley,” Gibson said in the release. “Cathy and Jack want to join with Priority in continuing to provide a high level of service.”