Lawrence County Deputy Judge-Executive Bob Kise had planned to declare a state of emergency today, but backed down after other ambulance services made arrangements to cover the county. Lawrence County Judge-Executive David Compton was in Owensboro today attending a conference of county judge-executives.

Martin County Ambulance, which has the same parent company as Life Star, has brought ambulances into the county until other arrangements can be made.

NetCare of Inez also has established a temporary ambulance station at Louisa Volunteer Fire Department's Station No. 2.

``We went ahead and got the resources in here before we had any major problems," Lawrence County e-911 director Jeff Pack said. ``We are just trying to protect the county and the city."

Reasons for Life Star's ceasing of operations were unclear this morning. Kise said the county was notified about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday that the ambulance firm had failed a state inspection.

He said he was told the service would not be able to operate ambulances in the county until ``necessary repairs were made."

The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services confirmed that Life Star had been inspected, but would not comment on its findings.

Pack said he was told Life Star's equipment ``wasn't up to specifications."

Phone calls to Life Star seeking comment were not returned.

In February, Louisa Mayor Michael Sullivan asked the state EMS board to investigate Life Star in response to complaints he had received regarding its service.

He said residents had complained about the length of time it takes for an ambulance to respond, as well as fees charged for services.