Beaufort County EMS is up and running on both sides of the Pamlico. As of mid-January, the gaps in paramedic-level service in the county have been filled with a squad that has a collective experience level in excess of 40 years, according to Beaufort County EMS Director John Flemming.

“This is the start to improving the EMS system in the county,” Flemming said. “We’re not changing the dynamics of the system. We’re just improving it.”

Sixteen employees were hired by the county — a 24/7 rotation of paramedics with some EMT-Intermediate personnel. In Blounts Creek, on the south side of the Pamlico River, a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV), manned by a paramedic, is stationed at Blounts Creek Volunteer Fire Department. At Bath Volunter Fire Department, another paramedic-manned QRV and an ambulance with both paramedic and EMT-I personnel are now on site. Finally, there is Flemming himself, who drives a third QRV — more of roving paramedic who will respond to wherever a paramedic is needed.

They call themselves “just another one of the squads in the county” though they’re spread out far enough to lend paramedic assistance to any squad operating in the county. Beaufort County EMS’ role is just as much supportive, according to Bryant Waters, a paramedic assigned to the QRV “Medic 3.”

“Now, because we respond, you get a paramedic,” Waters said. “It’s better to have the resource and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

Tuesday morning, Waters also responded as backup to another squad’s cardiac arrest call. He took more of a background role, lending the assistance of the top-of-the-line Philips MRX cardiac monitor assigned to each BC EMS vehicle. In addition defibrillating and archiving data capabilities, the machine actually monitors gives feedback in corrections to the speed and depth of chest compressions giving by first responders.

“I’m not there as Beaufort County EMS to take over. I’m there to support,” Waters said. “They’re all busy with the hands-on work. I was able to be the scribe and give some direction. We call it the quarterback role.”

Flemming said when any of the QRV-based paramedics respond to a scene, as long an EMT-Intermediate from any squad, paid or volunteer, is on site, the combination qualifies as a paramedic-level ambulance crew. Since BC EMS went into operation, the time between dispatch and EMS arrival on scene has narrowed from over 20 minutes in places like Blounts Creek and Bath to between four and five minutes. An eight minute response time is the goal set by the North Carolina Office of EMS.

Flemming said now that all Beaufort County residents have access to paramedic-level coverage, the next goal is to get all squads equally equipped with the latest technology.

“One of the biggest problems has been solved and it’s been a pretty smooth transition,” Flemming said. “Now that we have a consistent level of care, it’s time to look at consistency in equipment.”