Bulloch County EMS (BCEMS) has been heavily impacted by the COVID surge in seeing their daily call load significantly increase. The pressure this surge has put on Bulloch EMS and EGRMC E.D. has been unimaginable.
BCEMS have seen their calls increase from an average of 28 calls per day to 42 calls per day.
Over 40% of their daily calls are COVID related.
"Our team has risen to the challenge. They give their all to provide the highest, most compassionate level of emergency care to our citizens for 24 hours. Then in 48 hours they return and do it all over again," said Doug Vickers, Director of BCEMS.
"I couldn't be more proud of this group of dedicated men and women and how they put their personal health and safety on the line every day to take care of our community. I also want to say how grateful we are for Signature and Central EMS and others ambulance services who provide an important service to our community and take a load off of our service."
BCEMS is Bulloch's 911 Emergency Ambulance Service
Bulloch County Emergency Medical Service is the county owned and managed primary urgent 911 medical response ambulance service covering Bulloch County. They have a staff of over 50 full-time and part-time employees who operate out of two stations.
The primary station is located on West Grady Street beside Statesboro Fire Department Station one. The second station is located on Highway 80 East in Brooklet. This station is a shared station along with Bulloch County Fire Department.
BCEMS has eight total ambulances which are all fully equipped for Advanced Life Support care, the highest level of care in which community EMS services operate. These trucks are located at the two stations.
However, BCEMS only has four of the ambulances staffed 24 hours per day. Three of the ambulances are stationed in downtown Statesboro. One ambulance is staffed 24 hours per day at the Brooklet station.
Bulloch County has just funded one additional 12 hour crew that will staff a fifth ambulance during peak call times, seven days per week.
In addition to BCEMS there are several private ambulance services that operate in Statesboro. Two of the largest are Central EMS and Signature EMS. The private EMS services manage all in town non-emergency calls and patient transfers from EGRMC to other hospitals.
Air Evac, an air ambulance service is also located in Statesboro.
Best way to support BCEMS
ONLY CALL EMS in a TRUE LIFE OR DEATH EMERGENCY. PLEASE UTILIZE 911 AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
The best way you can help BCEMS is to stay healthy. The way to do that is to get vaccinated, wear a mask and social distance.
The second best way to help is to drop a card or note of thanks to let these dedicated public service know how much you appreciate them. In addition to individual appreciation notes, this would be a great activity project for teachers and their students, Sunday school classes and Assisted living facilities. They deserve our support and encouragement during the most difficult time in their career.
Mail your notes of thanks and encouragement to:
Bulloch County EMS
P.O. Box 1409
Statesboro, GA 30459