Berkeley County is preparing to reorganize how emergency medical services are administered beginning next summer. The Berkeley County
Commission has adopted an order to dissolve the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority and transfer its operations to a new county
department called Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services. The change is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2027, allowing time for the
administrative transition. County officials say residents should not see a change in the level of ambulance service as a result of the reorganization.
Staffing, employee retirement and benefits and ambulance fees are also expected to remain unchanged. Fees currently collected by the Ambulance
Authority will continue to be used exclusively for emergency medical services in Berkeley County. County officials say the change is intended to
eliminate duplicative administrative functions and bring EMS, fire, emergency communications and emergency management under more direct
oversight of the Berkeley County Commission. The current Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority was chartered as a public corporation in
1988 and serves as the county’s official 911 emergency medical provider. According to the county, the agency currently includes approximately 85
EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics along with six administrative employees. It operates nine ambulances each day from eight EMS coverage
stations, including five stations located at volunteer fire departments. The administrative transition to Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services is
scheduled to be completed by July 1, 2027.
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