CharlestonCounty.org

About Emergency Medical Services

History

In 1972 /1973 a group of concerned citizens, local physicians, and members of Charleston County Government petitioned for the creation of a countywide EMS service. Prior to this time, emergency medical care was provided by two private ambulance services where patients would have to pay before they got a ride to the hospital and some police "crash wagons.” On February 7, 1973 Charleston County Council approves the creation of a countywide EMS service. The initial ideas were modeled after the Jacksonville FL service but instead of being based out of Fire Departments, ours would be stationed in health clinics. The plan was to have seven ambulances strategically placed throughout the county with EMS to serve along with the police and fire departments. In August of 1973 Charleston County Council approved the third service plan with Charleston County EMS to provide access to advanced levels of emergency medical care regardless of the emergency's location or the patient's ability to pay.

On November 2, 1973 CCEMS employs the first six people to begin the department and becomes the first county-wide EMS department in the state of South Carolina. Most of the original six members of the department had some background in rescue or policing, but none had formal medical training from the military. They began training with Dr. Charles Summerall III a cardiologist at MUSC and our first medical director with Dr. Dabney Yarborough and Dr. Ray Ivester to assisting with the training. In November of 1973 the first ambulances were ordered which were Dodge vans. After a few months of training and working in the Emergency Room they were ready to begin caring for the community.

On January 28, 1974 the first Charleston County Ambulance went into service covering the peninsula of Charleston and based out of the Charleston County Hospital Emergency Room. Our second ambulance went into service on February 4, 1974 covering North Charleston and was based out of George Legare Heath Clinic.

It was on February 15, 1974 at 5 PM CCEMS responded to our first emergency call for a patient who had a seizure in downtown Charleston. By the end of February Charleston County EMS had responded to 250 calls for service.

In 1974 South Carolina approved a law licensing and regulating paramedics and in early February 1974 this first pilot paramedic class was taught in Columbia. This was quickly followed by the second class in the state taught in Charleston that graduated in April of 1974.

By the end of 1974 the first seven units went into service with an eighth going into service in 1975. From there our system has continued to evolve and develop to meet the changing needs of our customers.