The SC County Emergency Medical Service will use volunteer firefighters to provide basic care and transport

By Bill Carey
EMS1

LEE COUNTY, S.C. — In response to a nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics, Lee County has created a new volunteer fire department to respond to emergencies.

The newly created “emergency department” will help provide basic assistance until ambulances arrive and transport people requiring medical care to hospitals, WLTX reported.

“The time it takes for EMS to pick up a patient from that location, transport them to Tuomey, McLeod or Kershaw can be tedious and can take almost an hour and a half,” said Lee County Fire Department Chief of Operations Levi James. “If we have a delayed EMS response at a location, we can get a team in a truck and respond to that location to assist the citizen in need until EMS personnel can arrive on scene.”

The department is looking for volunteers, especially those with a medical background, such as off-duty or retired nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), paramedics or EMTs. Those interested in joining can complete online application.

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