Construction on a new EMS station is set to begin this summer on West Sumter Street in Florence County. The building is being paid for by Florence County’s penny sales tax referendum.
EMS officials say that another station is needed for the growing population.
“We really need it here in Florence County. Our call volume is going up dramatically,” stated EMS Public Information Officer, Billie Hatchell.
Hatchell adds, “It’s growing very quickly so it’ll be more populated not only with residents but businesses”.
The new station will be a valuable resource for emergency situations.
“This coverage area is going to cover the whole part of Northwest Florence, which is going to be one of the smallest coverage areas in the county and is going to be the second busiest,” says Hatchell
The lot where the new station will be built is full of high grass and weeds, but it will soon be home to a 4,000 square-foot and 24-hour paramedic response station.
“When they call 911, especially with them being on that side of the county it takes longer, right now our ambulance response is from here to our headquarters,” Hatchell said.
In moving forward with the new station, Hatchell says it will help bring down emergency response times.
“We can get to the businesses and residents a lot quicker, we’re talking about two to five minute quicker response time,”said Hatchell
The construction of the new EMS station is set for the summer and operations in the new facility is expected for the first quarter of 2016.
