Georgetown County Emergency Medical Service

Location: 3605 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, S.C. 29440
Phone: (843) 545-3271
Fax: (843) 545-3646
E-mail: Emergency Medical Service
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, (except for Legal holidays)
Mailing Address: PO Box 903, Georgetown, South Carolina, 29442
Contact Persons:
Traci Hessler, Administrative Assistant
Tony Hucks, Assistant Chief

Visit the Georgetown County Fire / Emergency Medical Services web site

Department Functions:

To protect life, limb, property, and the environment, in a timely and professional manner, with the highest quality of emergency service for the citizens of Georgetown County

The Georgetown County Emergency Medial Services (EMS) provides advanced life support and emergency transport for the sick and injured. The service’s coverage area includes a population of 56,797 people with six stations and six ambulances. Services include emergency and non-emergency care and transportation of sick or injured patients. Services also include community support and training.

Mission Statement

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What happens when I call 911?
A: Your call is answered by a trained telecommunicator assigned to gather your information, initiate an appropriate response, and provide instructions on how you can help before the ambulance arrives. The call will last approximately 2 minutes or until the ambulance arrives.

Q: What kind of assistance can I expect when I call for an ambulance?
A: In Georgetown County, an ambulance is staffed by an EMT-Paramedic and EMT. In some cases, where additional assistance is needed, "First Responders" from Georgetown County Fire Department having medical training will also respond.

Additional Information:

Community training classes are available upon request community groups and/or organizations. Training includes CPR, first aid, and "Talk and Tours" of the ambulances and facilities.

HIPAA Privacy Notice
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information, as per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Please review it carefully.
Georgetown County EMS is required by law to maintain the privacy of certain confidential health care information, known as Protected Health Information or PHI, and to provide you with a notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI. Georgetown County EMS is also required to abide by the terms of the version of this Notice currently in effect.

Uses and Disclosures of PHI: Georgetown County EMS may use PHI for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations, in most cases without your written permission. See link to view and print our HIPAA Privacy Notice.

Common Terms:


1. EMT: A South Carolina State or Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician capable of providing emergency life support.
2. EMT-Intermediate: A South Carolina State or Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician capable of providing advanced trauma care and intravenous access.
3. EMT-Paramedic: A South Carolina State or Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic capable of providing advanced cardiac life support and emergency medication therapy.
4. Firefighter/EMT-Paramedic: An EMT-Paramedic trained as a fire fighter to conduct fire support or safety operations while assigned to a fire incident.
5. The "Golden Hour": Refers to the first hour after a person is involved in a severe trauma incident (i.e. motor vehicle accident, shooting, etc.) and has the greatest chance of survival if advanced trauma care is received.

History:

Georgetown County EMS History:

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) nationally began through funeral home services progressing to private ambulance services or a combination of both governmental and private systems. Georgetown County’s EMS evolved from rescue squads to a county service. Some portions of Georgetown County continue using rescue squad service with county fire support. However, the majority of Georgetown County receives support by paid (career) personnel providing 24 hour coverage. Georgetown County recently integrated Fire and EMS departments to provide better service and coverage to the citizens of the county.

Interesting Facts / Links:

Facts:

Initially dismissed as an upset stomach or other ailment, most heart attacks are treatable when reported early.

Links:

SCDHEC EMS Division

SC EMS Association

National Registry of EMTs