The Anderson County Council Public Safety Committee recently received an update on the new unified EMS system in Anderson County which showed record response times.
Only four months in, the new system is 100% staffed and response time goals—defined as 9 minutes, 59 seconds or less—are now being met 95% of the time on priority 1 calls compared with 65% this time last year.
County staff noted the progress has been made in the middle of a pandemic and despite a 40% increase in the number of calls for service coming into 911.
Public Safety Committee Chairman Ray Graham, who represents Belton, Starr, Iva and parts of Honea Path on County Council, said, “When we made the changes to unify the system a few months ago, I do not think any of us could have imagined we would see such significant improvement in such a short period of time. I could not be more proud of our first responders and what they are doing every day to save lives in Anderson County.”
Chairman Graham continued, “Although I am pleased with where we are, I am looking forward to continuing work with our community partners towards even better continuity of care, better quality of care, and, ultimately, better patient outcomes for all of us, throughout our healthcare system. Response times are just one piece, and our goal is to have the best healthcare system we possibly can.”
The update on record EMS response times follows continued focus and investment County Council has been making in EMS countywide over the past several years.
