County Fire / EMS

Department Functions

To protect life, limb, property, and the environment, in a timely and professional manner, with the highest quality of fire and emergency medical services for the citizens and visitors of Georgetown County.

County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides:

  • Advanced life support and emergency transport for the sick and injured
  • Fire protection and suppression
  • Inspections of commercial structures
  • Public education
  • Community support and training

The department is comprised of 73 full-time personnel and 90 volunteer members.

Helpful Documents

EMS Billing Questions

If you receive an EMS bill from us and have questions regarding your billing statement, please contact our billing company (Lowcountry Billing) at 800-533-3915. If you received service prior to May 1, 2016, you should contact Carolina Ambulance Billing at 800-741-6920.

ISO Rating

Since July 1, 2018, the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating for the Georgetown County Fire Department has been a Class 04/4x. This change affected properties depending upon the type of building construction, the hazards of occupancy and other factors. Insurance policyholders should contact their insurance agent or company to determine the effect of the rating on their homeowner policies.

The Class 04 applies to properties in the district within 1,000 feet of a public fire hydrant or recognized water supply suction point, within five road miles or less of the responding fire station, and with the needed fire flow of 3,500 gallons per minute. The Class 4x applies to properties within five road miles of the responding fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of the fire hydrant or suction point. The Class 10 applies to properties beyond five road miles of the fire station. Evaluated individually, the private and public protections may vary from the district classification.

Smoke Detectors

Did you know free smoke detectors are available from Georgetown County Fire/EMS? Free smoke detectors are offered to low income, disabled and elderly individuals. The Fire Department will install the smoke detector upon request if no one else is available to install it. Individuals must complete and sign a short form stating they meet the requirements. Call 843-545-3271 for more information.

Community Training

Community training classes are available upon request to community groups and/or organizations. Training includes CPR, first aid and "Talk and Tours" of the ambulances, fire apparatus and facilities.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Notice (PDF) describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information, as per HIPAA. Please review it carefully.

Georgetown County EMS is required by law to maintain the privacy of certain confidential health care information, known as Protected Health Information or PHI, and to provide you with a notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI. Georgetown County EMS is also required to abide by the terms of the version of this Notice currently in effect.

Uses and Disclosures of PHI

Georgetown County EMS may use PHI for the purposes of treatment, payment and health care operations, in most cases without your written permission. 

ICE

A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone's memory under the heading "ICE" (for "In Case of Emergency") has spread throughout the world. Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative/next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

The idea was the brainchild of an East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic, Bob Brotchie.

I was reflecting on some of the calls I've attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person, Brotchie recalled. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history.

By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life.

Why not put ICE in your phone now?

Simply select a new contact in your phone book, enter the word 'ICE' and the number of the person you wish to be contacted. For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do, and please pass this on it may save a life.

Employment

If you are interested in a job with Georgetown County Fire/EMS, please contact Human Resources at 843-545-3074. You may also email AFC Aaron Bostic or call 843-545-3139.