Broad Creek EMS will be the next emergency response squad to make the jump to paramedic-level services in Beaufort County.

At the Nov. 1 meeting of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, the board voted to loan Broad Creek EMS approximately $54,000 to buy the necessary equipment and medicines to become the third operating paramedic-level squad in the county, along with White Oak EMS in county’s northeastern region and Chocowinity EMS, which operates on the south side of the Pamlico River.

Broad Creek EMS will likely begin answering paramedic-level calls around March 15, 2015, according to Beaufort County Emergency Management Coordinator John Pack.

“I’m excited that they’re going (paramedic),” Pack said. “The more paramedics we can bring online, the more lives we can save.”

The move also represents an extension of live-saving measures unavailable to basic and intermediate-level squads to Longacre Township, Pinetown, Bath and Pamlico Beach, as Broad Creek EMS often answers mutual-aid calls in those areas, according to Pack.

“That’s what paramedics do — they’re extending the emergency room to the living room, the barn, to wherever they find (a victim),” Pack said.

Initially, Pack asked commissioners on Nov. 1 to fund the $54,000 upgrade outright, but at the suggestion of Commissioner Hood Richardson, the decision was made to loan the money to the department instead.

The approval signifies a move forward on a five-year plan Emergency Management presented to commissioners three years ago, with the ultimate goal to have every squad in the county operating at a paramedic level. Pack said to do so is to the benefit of all Beaufort County residents.

“Chocowinity and White Oak have already saved lives. People have called and thanked (the office),” Pack said.

Pack said that paramedic-level service does not support itself: drugs, equipment and personnel cost and for the average rural squad, only 25 percent of calls can be billed at the higher paramedic rate. The end result is that Beaufort County taxpayers should not look to have their EMS service tax rates lowered, but that will contribute to quality and longevity of life in the county.

“The reality is we can better save lives and what’s life worth?” Pack asked. “It’s worth a lot to me.”