Florence County EMS News - December 21, 2000 Medic 6 in service in Pamplico area

Florence County EMS Medic 6 relocated to Pamplico Area

Effective December 21, 2000, Medic 6, formerly stationed at the Public Service Building in Lake City, has been moved into quarters on the grounds of the old Hannah-Pamplico Middle School, in Pamplico.

Pamplico was the assigned response area for Medic 6, though it alternately covered Lake City and Johnsonville areas with Medic 5. This move will allow this unit to remain stationed in its regular response area, and not to have to routinely cover any other response areas.

The article below appeared in the Florence Morning News on December 29, 2000

New EMS Unit in Pamplico means quicker emergency response time

by Libby Wiersema
Staff Writer

lwiersema@florencenews.com

Pamplico - A new emergency medical unit for Pamplico means help will be on the way in record time for residents needing assistance.

     Housed in a portable building at the old Pamplico Middle School, this latest addition to the Florence County EMS stations has already reduced response times by nearly half, officials say.

    "We have been looking at ways to improve response times in rural areas for a few years," said Gary Horn, Florence County EMS Director. "Our focus was how to better locate resources to cut down response times,. Because the town of Pamplico relied mainly on the volunteer rescue squad, if no one was available for a call, a truck would be dispatched from either Lake City or Florence."

    Normally, the local rescue squad volunteers responded in about 15 minutes to a Pamplico call, while a 23 minute response time was typical for a truck coming from Lake City or Florence. Having a station manned round the clock means that paramedics and technicians are now out the door and on their way in about three minutes flat, said Gene Avin, a lifelong Pamplico resident who supervises the new station.

EMS personnel agree that the added location was sorely needed.

"When a call would come in, any volunteer rescue personnel who could respond usually had to get up, get dressed, and meet before actually answering the call," said Avin. "Now, we work together, which has dramatically improved services. The volunteers will just drive over in their own vehicles, and we meet them there in the truck."

    Horn described this tag team approach as a very good marriage between two sets of rescue personnel.

    "It offers much needed relief for the volunteer squad." he said. "Some of these people work jobs all day then have to answer calls after they get home. It can be tiresome, and having the new unit takes some of the pressure off."

    To comfortably accommodate the live-in staff, the portable unit was remodeled and now features a full bath and kitchen. One paramedic and one emergency medical technician will be on the premises at all times, Avin said.

    "The community of Pamplico is well pleased with the new station," said Avin. "We've had people stopping by to bring us food and just say 'thanks'. We're glad to be here for them and it's great that they are glad to have us."