Emergency Medical Services

A: A: The time saved navigating traffic using lights and sirens can be essential, but, due to the high risk involved with emergency responses (using lights and siren), only life-threatening conditions are dispatched or transported in this manner. Vehicle accidents with injuries, chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, and drownings are all examples of emergencies that would warrant the use of lights and sirens. Less emergent services, such as routine doctor's appointments and uncomplicated chronic ailments, will not require lights and siren use. The type of response is initially determined by medical dispatchers (EMD's) at the Beaufort County E-911 Center. EMD's use a set criteria to determine the appropriate responses for each call.

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Q: What should I do when approached by an emergency vehicle?

A: South Carolina law requires motorists to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles who are traveling with lights and siren activated. The correct procedure is to pull to the right side of the road and come to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Motorists heading toward the ambulance should also pull to the right side of the road and come to a stop. Both lanes of travel are required to stop for the ambulance so long as a divided median is not present. If you are stopped at an intersection with a traffic light, you should remain in your lane of travel so long as the ambulance has an open lane to go around. Remember pull to the RIGHT.

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A: Certain emergencies require advanced treatment on-scene before transport can be initiated. For example, during cardiac arrests (where a person's heart stops), the paramedics must establish a secure airway and attempt to convert the patient's heart back to normal before beginning to transport the patient to the hospital. IV's usually are started on-scene of cardiac arrests because it is more efficant than in a moving ambulance while still performing CPR. The IV is one of the most effective routes for drug therapy. Paramedics are capable of providing the same inital treatment for cardiac arrest patients in the ambulance as you might see done first thing in the emergency department. The time delay of providing treatment on-scene is warranted by the benefits gained.

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A: You were asked to sign a release of liability section of a standard patient care report. This releases Beaufort County EMS and its affiliated agencies and employees from liability for your refusal of treatment and transport. This does not affect your future rights if you later decide to seek treatment from the hospital, ambulance service, or any other entity.

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A: Beaufort County EMS owns 15 ambulances and 2 quick response units , all of which are capable of being staffed on a moment's notice. We staff 8 advanced life support ambulances and 2 quick response units 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

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A: Our headquarters station is at 2727 Depot Road, Beaufort. Headquarters houses an advanced ambulance, and backup or reserve ambulances. Beaufort County EMS also maintains satellite stations in Bluffton, Daufuskie and Sun City houses an advanced ambulance, and backup or reserve ambulances. Satellite stations in Burton, Lady's Island, Lobeco, and St. Helena each houses an advanced ambulance, the stations at Fripp Island and Callawassie station an advanced Quick response unit.

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A: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) are trained in patient assessment and teatment at a basic level. An EMT may administer Oxygen, use an Automatic External Defrillator (AED), stablize a potental spinal injury patient on a backboard, splint fractures and bandage wounds, do definitive airway interventions, Intubation, Monitor vital signs, and perform on-going assassment of patients condition
An EMT-Intermediate attends more training, and can do all the skills of an EMT, but can also initiate Intra-venous (IV) lines for fluid resuscitation. Intermediates can also perform a even more advanced airway methods than a EMT
Paramedics attend approximately two more years of training, and are capable of many additional skills. A Paramedic may also analyze, interpret, and treat various heart rhythms, give appropriate medications with pre-arranged "standing orders," treat critical trauma patients with advanced maneuvers such as chest decompression for a collapsed lung, establish advanced IV lines, as well as Intra-osseous line, which are specfic to pediatrics and go into the bone marrow, and provide a invaluable liaison to the hospital emergency room. Paramedics are now trained in skills that were formerly reserved exclusively for the Emergency Room staff, such as 12 lead EKGs, cardioversion, and new methods of securing an airway, such as Rapid Sequence Intubation and using a new adjunct, the LMA

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A: Calls can vary from day to day. One day a crew may not run a single call. On another day, the crew may not get any rest at all. Beaufort County EMS responds to approximately 12,000 calls annually. In addition, we are responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and restocking the ambulances. We also have programs involving public relations and special events

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A: Beaufort County EMS only hires currently certified EMT's, Intermediates, and Paramedics who have previous work experience. Various technical schools and colleges in South Carolina can provide the necessary training to obtain licensure. EMT's currently must attend 139 hour of classroom training that is interspersed with required clinical time in an emergency department. Paramedics must be licensed EMT's before they can begin training in paramedicine. Paramedics receive an additional training in the classroom, ambulance, and various departments of hospital. Check the Beaufort County Human Resources Department.

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Q: Can I ride with the paramedics on the ambulance?

A:Currently we only allow personnel with affiliated agencies to observe.

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A: Demonstrations for children are available nearly anytime. Yes, they include coloring books (we wouldn't want to disappoint the kids!). Teachers and organization leaders can schedule a demonstration by contacting the secretary at (843)-525-4040. We ask that you please give us a few weeks notice!

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A: Yes, phone the shift supervisor or senior crew chief at (843)-525-4008. Please note that due to the unpredictable nature of emergencies, the crew may not be present when you arrive at the station.

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A: The station numbers are the living quarters of the crews. They are NOT for requesting ambulance transportation! If you need an ambulance, you should contact Beaufort County E-911 by dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency. When the crew leaves to respond to a call, there is no one around to answer the phone in the living quarters. This is why it's important to call Beaufort County E-911 for all ambulance requests. We are dispatched via radio.

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A: Email us, give us a call at the headquarters station, or just come by and visit us.

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Administration E-Mail Addresses  

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