Q: Why would I receive a bill from EMS when I am a County taxpayer?
A: Taxes pay for the staffing, vehicles and stations required to provide Emergency Medical Services. User fees help offset the costs of specific equipment and supplies associated with each ambulance call. If you fail to pay your user fee, EMS may collect the fee from your state tax refund using a debt set off program
Q: What is a Paramedic?
A: A paramedic is a person that usually works outside the hospital to provide initial medical treatment in the event of illness or injury. Paramedics work with many other professionals, such as firefighters, rescue, police, nurses, doctors and others, in order to provide treatment and stabilization to those in crisis. The paramedic is usually an extension of the doctor’s knowledge and skill. This means that the paramedic carries out examinations and treatments when a doctor is not available. There must be a high level of trust between the paramedic and the doctor.
Q: Why do I sometimes see ambulances parked at street corners, apparently doing nothing?
A: Ambulances in Laurens County are frequently relocated to strategic locations to provide better response times when other ambulances are busy. This helps to ensure that all areas of the County receive the best coverage possible.
Q: Does the County have a helicopter for emergency transport?
A: No. However, County emergency agencies have access to and use the helicopter services managed by three area air-medical providers. Through a cooperative effort, the emergency service agencies in the County have designated scores of suitable helicopter landing sites ranging from large intersections to baseball fields.
Q: Why does a Fire Truck come to my house when I call for an Ambulance?
A: EMS units are stationed throughout Laurens County. Whenever a unit responds to a 911 call, it cannot respond to other calls within that area. The Emergency Medical Dispatcher will respond the next closest available unit. Since this unit may be farther away from your location, a fire department unit will sometimes be dispatched as a “First Responder”. These Fire Department personnel are trained to handle the emergency until the EMS unit arrives. This reduces the time before emergency help may arrive.
Q: What am I supposed to do when an ambulance approaches with its lights on. I pulled into the median, but they went into on-coming traffic anyway.
A: SC Code of Laws Section 56-5-2360(a) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal or visual signal only, the driver of every other vehicle traveling along a two-lane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible, to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A driver of a vehicle traveling along a multilane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall remain in, or move to a location that allows the emergency vehicle or police vehicle to pass safely, except as otherwise directed by a police officer.”
As you can see, the law requires that you pull to the right. Since you should be pulling to the right, it is much safer for the ambulance to pass you on the left.
Q: Who do I need to contact to get an ambulance to stand by at our function?
A: Laurens County EMS routinely provides dedicated coverage to events within the county. If your function requires ambulance coverage continuously, you may contact us at (864)984-1574.
Q: Who do I need to contact to get someone to talk to our group?
A: Personnel are always available to talk with groups. To schedule an employee to talk with your group, contact Laurens County EMS at (864)981-5403.