By Bill Carey
SA国际传媒
LEE COUNTY, S.C. 鈥� In response to a nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics, Lee County is introducing a new volunteer firefighter unit to handle emergencies.
This newly established 鈥渞escue branch鈥� will assist in providing basic aid until EMTs arrive and transporting individuals requiring medical care to hospitals, reported.
鈥淭he time period for EMS to pick a patient up from here, transport to either Tuomey, McLeod or Kershaw, can be tedious, and it can be almost about an hour and a half turnaround,鈥� Lee County Fire Department Chief of Operations Levi James said. 鈥淚f we have a delayed EMS response to a location, we can put a team together on a truck and respond to that location to provide aid to the citizen in need until EMS personnel arrives on the scene.鈥�
The branch is seeking volunteers, particularly 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 an .
