How do I call for services of Horry County Fire Rescue if I need them? Simply call "911" and give your location and/or address to the call taker to whom you are talking. Never panic and try to stay as calm as possible. Be prepared to give as much information as you can about the nature of the emergency you are calling about.
Why does a fire truck and a rescue squad show up with the ambulance when I call for a medical reason? Horry County Fire Rescue has fourteen ambulances stationed throughout the county. Whenever anyone calls for an ambulance, we will send the nearest available fire/rescue ambulance. If the fire/rescue ambulance in your area is unavailable, we will also send the nearest rescue squad and/or the nearest fire truck if your condition sounds life threatening to the dispatcher. Most area firefighters have been trained, at least, to the First Responder (advanced first aid level). The rescue squads are often trained and equipped at the paramedic level. These agencies can often stabilize your condition until the county's fire rescue ambulance arrives to provide you with all of the care you require from a hospital. Horry County is committed to sending you the quickest, most capable assistance whenever you call for help.
What is the difference between Horry County Fire Rescue and the volunteer rescue squads? Horry County Fire Rescue is a staffed tax funded service, strategically located throughout the county, capable of responding with advanced life support personnel and equipment to any emergency for the purpose of treating and transporting the sick and injured to the nearest hospital as well as providing fire protection to the citizens and visitors of Horry County. Rescue Squads are community based volunteers who compliment Horry County Fire Rescue's efforts in providing emergency care. They vary in the level of service which they provide. The members of these squads usually work full time jobs elsewhere, and respond according to their availability. Therefore, they may not be available nor are they charged with the responsibility of providing 24-hour service seven days per week.
I just moved to Horry County and was certified as an EMT (or Paramedic) in my last place of residence. How can I switch to SC certification? Follow the link http://www.scems.com/edassn/forms/reciprocity.pdf for the official document from our state-regulating agency, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, DHEC
Will the fire rescue department recognize firefighter training that I received somewhere other than Horry County? Call the Horry County Fire/Rescue Training Center at (843) 756-1784 to discuss your options.
Does Horry County Fire Rescue charge for their services? It all depends on what services are rendered. There is usually no charge for fire suppression activities though chemical spills and other hazardous cleanups can result in charges in special situations. Horry County Fire Rescue is funded by tax revenue; however, it is not enough to cover the entire cost of maintaining the service. Therefore, to offset the cost, Horry County charges a fee to customers utilizing medical services requiring transportation via ambulance.
How many incidents does the department respond to annually? The Horry County Fire Rescue Department currently responds to approximately 35,000-40,000 emergencies (combined medical and fire) incidents annually.
After fire damage to my property, how do I obtain a fire report? You can obtain a fire report at no charge from our Administration Office, located in the M.L. Brown Public Safety Building.
Fire Rescue Department - term describing a fire department that also provides some level of pre-hospital medical services.
EMS - abbreviation for Emergency Medical Services (most commonly referencing a service that provides only medical pre-hospital services).
BLS - (basic life support) term used to describe a level of care that does not include administering of intravenous medications and other procedures that require a higher level of certification and skills to perform.
ALS - (advanced life support) term used to describe a level of care that includes BLS treatment as well as the ability to administer fluids, cardiac and other IV medications. The ALS provider has the ability to recognize and treat life threatening heart conditions with the use of sophisticated cardiac monitor defibrillators.
EMT - (emergency medical technician) term used to describe someone certified by the state to perform BLS skills in a pre-hospital setting.
Firefighter/EMT - term used to describe someone trained both as a fire fighter and an EMT.
Firefighter/Medic - short for fire fighter paramedic, describing someone trained both as a fire fighter and EMT-P
Paramedic - term used to describe someone certified by the state to perform ALS skills in a pre-hospital setting.
EMT-P - (emergency medical technician paramedic) the official name for paramedic
EMT-I - (emergency medical technician intermediate) term used to describe someone certified by the state to perform skills at a level between an EMT and Paramedic.
First Responder - term used to describe someone trained in advanced first aid.
Medical Control Director - local physician contracted by Horry County Fire/Rescue to oversee and direct medical protocols for the department
Medical Control - any local on-duty emergency department physician, who is contacted by the attending medical technicians, or patients whom they will be treating and or transporting. This local physician then assumes responsibility and directs the medical technicians accordingly.
