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Midway Fire Rescue to host free public safety events
May 11, 2018

The week of May 20 is National EMS Week. Across the U.S., it’s a time to say thank you to Emergency Medical Services personnel who work many hours providing care to the sick and injured. In Georgetown County, EMS personnel will also use the week as an opportunity for public safety education.

May 21-24, Midway Fire Rescue​ will host daily lectures at its headquarters station on a variety of health and safety topics. The week will culminate in an Infant and Child Car Seat Blitz on Saturday, May 26, from 1-4 p.m. Midway’s headquarters station is located at 67 Saint Paul Place in Pawleys Island, beside the Waccamaw Library.
“EMS week is all about thanking first responders for their daily duties and heroic efforts,” said Brianna Knox, a firefighter and EMT with Midway who was among the staff tasked with planning EMS Week activities. “There is a lot of hard work and dedication that is preformed day in and day out by these professionals that the community often doesn't get a chance to see. The endless hours of training, learning new and improved ways to better not only ourselves, but the communities around us are just a few things we do each shift. EMS week gives the community a chance to not only thank, but show their appreciation for their local first responders. In our appreciation for their support, we offer a large variety of classes during this week and throughout the year.”
All EMS Week activities are free and open to all. The schedule for the week is as follows.

• May 21, 6-8 p.m. – How to help 911 operators help you. Members of the public can talk with local responders to find out what to expect when they dial 911 and how to better prepare yourself to give 911 operators the information they need to get you the help you need.
• May 22, 6-8 p.m. – Preventing falls. For the elderly, a fall can be a serious issue, causing significant injury and possibly leaving the victim stranded and unable to seek help. Rescue personnel will offer home safety tips to help prevent falls and ensure your home is as safe as possible.
• May 23, 6-8 p.m. – Summer Safety. Learn how to treat jellyfish stings, prevent burns from sun and hot sand, boating safety, simple and safe swim techniques to prevent water emergencies, and other essentials for enjoying the summer safely.
• May 24, 6-8 p.m. – How to save a life with CPR. Members of the public will learn five basic steps to recognizing cardiac arrest and taking quick action, as well as how to locate an AED and render assistance until emergency responders arrive.
• May 26, 1-4 p.m. – Infant and child car seat blitz. Certified local first responders and a representative from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control will be on hand to check and install infant and child car safety seats.

County launches new Photo Contest
April 16, 2018

"Street Scenes" is the theme of the latest Georgetown County Photo Contest. The contest seeks images ranging from bustling streets in the heart of town to quiet country roads. The deadline to enter is June 15. Entries should be sent to jbroach@gtcounty.org. A receipt will be sent within 24 hours to acknowledge your entry was received.

Photo rules and details

Treasurer announces new delinquent tax program
April 9, 2018

The Georgetown County Treasurer’s Office will begin using a third party collections agency, American Financial Credit Services (AFCS), to assist in the collection of delinquent taxes.

In the past, the Annual Tax Sale was the primary and only delinquent collection program. The South Carolina Department of Revenue offers a Setoff Debt Program, but it has limitations. Businesses cannot be submitted through the Setoff Debt program because the program requires the use of a social security number, an identifier most businesses do not have.

“Pursuing and collecting delinquent taxes is a sensitive subject, but it is part of my role as Treasurer, so we utilize programs that fulfill our responsibility with professional and personalized services. AFCS’s collection services are unique, in addition to pursuing taxes owed, they will assist delinquent taxpayers who are found to have been taxed incorrectly, by educating them on the proper documentation to file so the tax does not continue to be assessed each year. American Financial Credit Services also offers the delinquent taxpayer a payment plan that by law our office can not offer.” said Allison Sippel Peteet, Georgetown County Treasurer.

There is no cost to the County for this program and the taxes will be collected in full. AFCS’s 20% fee is in addition to the delinquent taxes and is paid by the delinquent taxpayer.

Bassmaster, Jason Michael Carroll returning to Georgetown this summer
March. 12, 2018

Some of the best club anglers in the Eastern U.S. will converge on Winyah Bay this summer, hoping to take home a title and a chance to fish alongside the pros.

Georgetown County will host the B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional Championship June 20-22.

It’s a qualifying event for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, from which the three top finishers will earn spots in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic.

“This is our fourth year of hosting Bassmaster events, and as always, we’re excited to welcome this organization and its members to our community,” said County Administrator Sel Hemingway. “We’ve hosted the college division and the Elite series, which includes the top professional anglers. But our first ever Bassmaster event was a B.A.S.S. Nation tournament and this group holds a special place in our hearts. We look forward to making sure they have a good visit here and, hopefully, catch a lot of big fish.”

The tournament will include 380 anglers from 19 states. Each participating state will have 20 anglers that make up a team. The South Carolina team will include a female angler this year – Stacey Jefferson Proctor of Conway, sister-in-law of John Proctor who won a spot in the Classic in 2016.

As always, members of the public are encouraged to attend daily boat launch and weigh-in events at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex during the tournament. Admission is free. Boat launch occurs daily at dawn. Weigh-in is in the afternoon. More details will be released as the tournament nears.

As an additional attraction that week, the Georgetown Business Association will sponsor a free concert on Front Street featuring country music star Jason Michael Carroll. This is the third year Carroll has performed in Georgetown, attracting large crowds and visitors from multiple states with his energetic performances. The show is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on June 21. Opening act is the Josh Brannon Band. While general admission for the concert is free, VIP ticket packages offer access to Carroll will be available. Details will be announced in the spring.

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Emergency Management Division launches new preparedness campaign
Feb. 1, 2018

On the South Carolina coast, every family and business should have an emergency plan and an emergency supply kit ready for hurricane season. Yet a surprising number are unprepared when the first storm warnings are issued.

For many families, especially those new to the area and the yearly threat of hurricanes, building a kit from scratch can seem overwhelming. So, Georgetown County Emergency Management launched a new campaign in January to make it easier.

The campaign, called  “20 Weeks to Get Prepared,” breaks the task of hurricane planning down to weekly shopping and task lists, running from the beginning of the year to the start of hurricane season on June 1. The weekly installments appear on Georgetown County Emergency Management’s Facebook page, along with weekly prize giveaways to help residents build their kits.

“The idea behind this is to make preparedness easier,” said Cindy Grace, Georgetown County Emergency Management coordinator. “You don’t have to invest a lot of money at once; you can pick up a handful of items during your weekly shopping trips, and have a fully stocked kit by the start of hurricane season.”

If we’re lucky enough to not need the supplies that hurricane season, they can be used and replaced in the months following for the next season. As they progress through weekly shopping lists, participants are reminded to always check the expiration dates on items they buy for their kits and make sure they are good at least through Nov. 30, the end of hurricane season. And of course, the lists are just a general guide and may need to be altered from one household to another.

For anyone who hasn’t been following the series from Week 1, it’s easy to get caught up. Just scroll down the Georgetown County Emergency Management page on Facebook, or click the link below.

20 Weeks to Preparedness

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