50 years.

That’s how long Lexington County EMS has been serving local residents.

On Jan. 24, the county held an open house for the public in honor of the anniversary at its EMS Headquarters, located at 407 Ball Park Road in Lexington. The event featured various booths displaying the department's technological advancements, equipment and history, with several ambulances and vehicles available for attendees to see.

“Events like these are important because it gives the public an inside look, not only into what we do, but our history,” said Capt. Brittany Rininger “The advances in EMS over the last 50 years have been substantial.”

The display case documenting the department’s history at the event was a direct result of the efforts of Cpt. Stuart Platt, she said, explaining that he is commonly referred to as the department’s resident historian.

“Throughout Platt’s tenure with LCEMS, he kept track of news articles, special events, those one in a blue moon calls, and other things he felt that were important to preserve," Rininger said. "Capt. Platt and Sgt. [Amber] Zuspan worked together to use the historical information Platt had preserved to help make a 50th anniversary timeline.”

Lexington County EMS Chief Brian Hood told the Chronicle that a majority of county ambulance services started in 1974, following the passage of the National EMS Systems Act of 1973, adding that this legislation provided federal funding to states so that they could create EMS systems of care, with funeral homes providing most care before formal EMS agencies were formed.

Lexington County EMS started operation Jan. 1, 1974 and had 16 employees, split into equal halves between two shifts, with the addition of supervisors. Hood stated that since then the service has grown to 188 full-time employees, 10 part-time employees, with over 500 clinicians having contributed to the Lexington County EMS through the years.

Displayed at the event was an old map used for navigation, which was compared with the current dispatch system. Rininger said the current dispatch program, MARVLIS, is constantly updated night and day, with data showing the areas within their coverage area most likely to get calls.

Other equipment was also on display, including a HANDTEVY system, which Rininger called a “tool in our toolbox” for treating kids, explaining that it provides age-based medication pouches with a corresponding app that provides the amount that should be given. Attendees were also able to view a LUCAS device, a mechanical CPR unit that is used on cardiac arrest calls.

“The LUCAS provides consistent compressions, both rate and depth,” Rininger said, explaining that this helps “eliminate provider fatigue because it is doing the work for us.”

One of the booths highlighted the county’s PEER team, which consists of members from county Fire Services, EMS and Dispatch who are trained in mental health for first responders. The county always has someone on call 24/7 to provide support for emergency employees.

Another booth highlighted the CAPE bureau, which focuses on community advocacy through prevention and education. Rininger added that community paramedics work alongside this bureau and help adults get to their medical appointments and get their medication.

The county’s EMS hopes to hold more events throughout the county to highlight the anniversary and the services it provides, looking to hit the Swansea area in February, the Red Bank area in April, the Gilbert area in June, the West Columbia/Oak Grove area in August and the Lexington area in December.

Outside of public events, Rininger told the Chronicle that they want to show their appreciation to their employees as much as possible. Throughout the year, employees will receive new patches, coins and T-shirts, among other items.