After months of debate, Venice city leaders Tuesday night voted to have the Venice Fire Department take over all EMS calls from Sarasota County starting next fall.

A recent study found that in two-thirds of all medical emergency calls, it was the Venice firefighters who got on scene first.

The two entities will remain partners when it comes to fighting fires in the city- but fire officials say for what Venice pays the county for ambulance service, they could hire more than two dozen first responders and buy three ambulances.

The change goes into effect next October.