Williams County EMS
Williams County Emergency Medical Services is a government-operated Advanced Life Support ambulance service providing emergency transportation, community health services, and aeromedical evacuation services to Williams County, North Carolina.
All front-line ambulances are staffed with highly trained advanced practice paramedics qualified to perform all allowed procedures and deliver all allowed medications per North Carolina EMS law and policy. Our highly trained paramedics are all staff in a community paramedic unit and a medevac helicopter. Our helicopter is available to transport critically ill or injured patients to medical facilities in the region.
Our community paramedic program is a healthcare initiative designed to provide preventative and non-emergency healthcare services to individuals who may not have access to traditional healthcare services. Community paramedics are trained and experienced paramedics who can offer various services, such as monitoring chronic conditions, providing primary health assessments, administering vaccinations, and educating patients on healthy habits.
The program aims to address the root causes of health issues in the community, such as social determinants of health, by providing accessible and proactive healthcare services. Community paramedics are typically dispatched to homes or community centers to provide care and work closely with local healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care. Community paramedic programs have been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the community's overall health.
Our Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), pronounced "BERT," consists of a mental health clinician and a mental health technician who responds to the scenes of emergencies related to mental health. Our clinicians include Clinical Social Workers, Mental Health Nurses, and other advanced practitioners. Our Mental Health Technicians are specially trained Emergency Medical Technicians who bring the front-line emergency scene experience to the team.
Williams County EMS goes above and beyond by providing exceptional 911 response, community health initiatives, and medevac programs, but also offers Special Event Standby coverage upon request, special operations support for aearch and rescue, and assistance with law enforcement operations.
Overall, WCEMS plays a critical role in providing timely and effective medical care to the residents of Williams County.
Williams County EMS Uniformed Personnel
| Rank Image | Rank Name | Position Requirements | Sheild Design |
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Chief | The Chief of EMS is a North Carolina Certified Paramedic who is appointed by the County Manager with confirmation by the Board of Commissioners. The Chief must hold at least ten years of experience in Emergency Medical Services with at least five years of experience in upper management of a medium to large-sized municipal EMS agency or large commercial operation with municipal contracts. The Chief of EMS is required to hold a master's degree preferably in Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, or Public Health-related fields.
The Chief is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the department and is responsible directly to the County Board of Commissioners, and County Manager, and interfaces regularly with the heads of other departments including Fire-Rescue, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement. |
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Assistant Chief | The Assistant Chief of EMS is a North Carolina Certified Paramedic who is appointed by the County Manager with confirmation by the Board of Commissioners. The Chief must hold at least ten years of experience in Emergency Medical Services with at least five years of experience in upper management of a medium to large-sized EMS agency. The Chief of EMS is required to hold a master's degree preferably in Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, or Public Health-related fields.
The Assistant Chief is the department's Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer and is responsible for interfacing with county departments such as legal and finance. The Assistant Chief is responsible for ensuring that all department licensure, certifications, and memberships in all professional organizations are maintained. The Assistant Chief is responsible for ensuring all department policies and procedures are compliant with the department's mission and compliant with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The assistant chief will act as chief when necessary. |
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Deputy Chief | The Chief of the Department appoints a Deputy Chief of EMS to fulfill one of two roles within the department. The Deputy Chief of Operations is responsible for the supervision and coordination of all operational divisions of the departments. The Deputy Chief of Operations also falls in the regular rotation of EMS Tour Commanders in the field. The Deputy Chief of Training is responsible for the training and education of all department personnel, interfacing with paramedic training programs and the training academy, and is the Office of EMS contact for all educational matters.
Deputy Chiefs are appointed by the Chief of EMS and are required to hold ten years of experience within Emergency Medical Services with at least five years of supervisory experience and certification as a North Carolina Paramedic. |
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Captain | Captains are responsible for leading an operational division or administrative function within the department. Captain is a civil service position that requires at least five years of service within the department with at least one year of service at the rank of Lieutenant as well as a bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field and certification as a North Carolina Paramedic. Captains serve in rotation as the EMS Tour Commander, supervising all units in the field and responding to major incidents as required. Captains may be assigned to lead the following divisions or administrative support functions:
Field Support (Controlled Substances, Communications Equipment/MDTs, Fleet Management, Facilities issues), Community Services (Community Paramedics & BHRT), Special Operations (Event Standbys, Tactical EMS, and MCI equipment), Human Resources (HR Functions and Social Media/Public Information Officer), and Flight Operations. Additionally, depending on staffing, captains may staff units EMS 6 and EMS 7 and serve as supervisors over one of the two field districts.. |
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Lieutenant | Lieutenants are the first-line field supervisors within the department, serving as staff members on an ambulance or staffing one of the two district field supervision units (EMS 6 & EMS 7). Lieutenants are additionally assigned responsibility over one or more stations and work to ensure the station, apparatus, and equipment assigned are properly maintained and supplied. Lieutenants are civil service employees who are required to have served at least three years within the department, with at least two as a paramedic.
Lieutenants may act as captains and staff the EMS Tour Commander unit (EMS 5) when necessary. |
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Paramedic | Paramedics are the backbone of WCEMS. All primary 911 response units are staffed with at least one paramedic responsible for patients' advanced life support level care during on-scene treatment and evaluation and during transport. Paramedics are often responsible for commanding minor incidents on behalf of the department, performing triage, and coordinating the response of other incoming units. They are also the leader of the unit-level team, normally made up of a paramedic and EMT or AEMT. Paramedics have the opportunity to serve in many special assignments, such as EMS Instructor, ALS Field Training Officer, Paramedic Preceptor, and on special teams/units such as the Community Paramedic Unit, Flight Operations, and within the Special Operations division.
Paramedic is a civil service position that requires North Carolina certification or eligibility for reciprocity and at least two years of experience as a paramedic to be eligible for the exam. Those wishing to enter the department with less than two years of experience or those upgrading from EMT via promotional examination (open enrollment) must serve at least six months in the field as an AEMT before fully upgrading to paramedic. |
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Advanced Emergency Medical Technician | Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) hold an advanced life support level scope of practice within the department. They can operate in concert with a paramedic under their direction to the level of a paramedic. AEMTs operating individually without the supervision of a paramedic may only operate to the AEMT scope of practice as defined in the North Carolina State protocol. AEMTs may be assigned to special assignments within the special operations division Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), or as a BLS Field Training Officer.
AEMT is a civil service position requiring at least one year of experience in EMS to be eligible for the exam and a North Carolina AEMT Certification or eligibility for reciprocity. |
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Emergency Medical Technician | Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) hold a basic life support level scope of practice within the department. They can operate as part of an ALS unit under the supervision of an AEMT or Paramedic. EMTs operating individually or with another EMT must only staff units at the BLS level. EMTs may be assigned special duties as a BLS Field Training Officer, Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) member, or within the special operations division.
EMT is a civil service position requiring at least one year of experience in EMS to be eligible for the exam and a North Carolina EMT certification or eligibility for reciprocity. |
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In addition to uniformed personnel the department also employs many non-uniformed personnel such as fleet maintenance, behavioral health clinicians, administrative support, billing, and educational personnel. WCEMS personnel IDs are delineated by certification with non-uniformed employees and administration beginning at 1000, Paramedics at 3000, AEMTs at 5000, and EMTs at 7000. New shield numbers were issued when Dare and Currituck County EMS combined and were based on seniority. All personnel will have a shield number issued per certification until the rank of Captain where they will be issued an administration number shield numbers are not currently being recycled.
Williams County EMS Stations
| Station Number/Name | Location | Units Assigned |
|---|---|---|
| WCEMS Headquarters[1] | TBD | EMS 5[2]; Command, Special Operations, Special Events, and Support units. |
| Station 1 – Kill Devil Hills | 1632 North Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC | Medic 1 |
| Station 2 – Manteo | 515 Bowsertown Road, Manteo, NC | Medic 2, EMCAT 4[3] |
| Station 3 – Frisco | 50346 Highway 12, Frisco NC | Medic 3 |
| Station 4 – Southern Shores | Southern Shores VFD – 28 East Dogwood Trail, Southern Shores, NC | Medic 4 |
| Station 5 – Nags Head | Nags Head Fire Rescue – 5314 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC | Medic 5, EMS 6[4] |
| Station 6 – Rodanthe | Chicamacomico Banks VFD – 24297 Atlantic Drive, Rodanthe NC | Medic 6 |
| Station 7 – Flight Operations | Manteo Airport – 1078 Driftwood Drive, Manteo, NC | Air 7[5], Medic 97[6] |
| Station 8 – Manns Harbor | 6677 Highway 64/264, Manns Harbor, NC | Medic 8 |
| Station 9 – Powells Point | Lower Currituck VFD – 8336 Caratoke Hwy, Powells Point, NC | Medic 9 |
| Station 10 – Waterlilly | Lower Currituck VFD – 424 Waterlily Rd, Coinjock, NC | Medic 10 |
| Station 11 – Moyock | Moyock VFD – 108 Fire Station Court, Moyock, NC | Medic 11 |
| Station 12 – Crawford | Crawford Township VFD – 121 Shawboro Rd, Shawboro, NC | Medic 12, EMS 7[7] |
| Station 13 – Virginia Beach[8] | Virginia Beach Fire Department – 6009 Blackwater Rd, Virginia Beach, VA | Medic 13, Alpha 13, Bravo 13, EMS 13[9] |
| Station 14 – Whalehead | Corolla Fire Rescue – 827 Whalehead Dr, Corolla, NC | Medic 14 |
| Station 15 – Knotts Island | Knotts Island VFD – 153 South End Rd, Knotts Island | Medic 15, EMCAT 5[3] |
| Station 16 – Carova Beach | 2169 Ocean Pearl Rd, Corolla, NC | Medic 16 |
| Station 17 – Lower Currituck | Lower Currituck VFD – 6223 Caratoke Hwy, Grandy, NC | Medic 17 |
- ↑ WCEMS Headquarters does not have any front-line operational units stationed at this location except the tour commander. In addition to the administrative and command units located here, EMS Headquarters is the location of the training and simulation center, fleet maintenance, and offices for the community paramedic and behavioral health response team.
- ↑ EMS 5 is the county wide EMS Tour Commander and is staffed by a rotation of all of the EMS Captains and the Deputy Chief of Operations.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A specially built gator that can be equipped ALS or BLS and transport a patient on a stretcher that is interchangeable with any responding transporting units.
- ↑ EMS 6 is the Southern District Supervisor which covers all of what was previously Dare County. EMS 6 is normally staffed by a Lieutenant.
- ↑ Previously known as Dare MedFlight Williams County has taken over operations of one of the only county owned medical air evacuation services in the country. This unit is now known as "Air 7" as Flight Operations was traditionally called Station 7 within Dare and now Williams County EMS.
- ↑ Medic 97 is an SUV equipped as a paramedic fly car and usable by the flight crew to respond to emergencies when it is not safe for flight as an enhancement unit.
- ↑ EMS 7 is the Northern District Supervisor which covers all of what was previously Currituck County. EMS 7 is normally staffed by a Lieutenant.
- ↑ Due to the remote nature of Knotts Island and the area only being accessible from the rest of the county by first crossing through the cities Chesapeake and then Virginia Beach, VA a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists between Williams County EMS and Virginia Beach EMS to respond to remote areas of the City of Virginia Beach and all of Knotts Island together.
- ↑ VBEMS units operating within Currituck County will operate as "Station 13". Following the normal WCEMS radio callsign system they will sign on as Medic 13, Alpha 13, Bravo 13, or EMS 13. While Virginia Beach EMS assigns paramedic callsigns to EMT-Intermediates while operating in Williams County they will operate with an AEMT callsign.
Headquarters Units
| Unit Callsign | Unit Type | Unit Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EMS 1 | Chief of EMS | Take Home Unit |
| EMS 2 | Assistant Chief of EMS | Take Home Unit |
| EMS 3 | Deputy Chief of Operations | Take Home Unit |
| EMS 4 | Deputy Chief of Training | Take Home Unit |
| EMS 5 | County Wide EMS Tour Commander | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| EMS 8 | Additional 911 Supervisor | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| EMS 9 | Special Events/Special Operations Supervisor | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| EMS 10 | Special Events/Special Operations Supervisor | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| Medic 81 | Community Paramedic Unit | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| Medic 82 | Community Paramedic Unit | Paramedic Equipped SUV |
| Unit 83 | Behavior Health Response Team (BHRT) | Unmarked SUV |
| Unit 84 | Behavior Health Response Team (BHRT) | Unmarked SUV |
| Medic | Paramedic Staffed Unit (ALS) | Additional units turning out of HQ will begin with Medic 20 and above. Units using 90 series are unable to transport. |
| Alpha | Advanced EMT Staffed Unit (ALS) | Additional units turning out of HQ will begin with Alpha 20 and above. Units using 90 series are unable to transport. |
| Bravo | EMT Staffed Unit (BLS) | Additional units turning out of HQ will begin with Bravo 20 and above. Units using 90 series are unable to transport. |
| Medic 99 | Tactical EMS Ambulance | Medic 99 is assigned to support the Williams County Sheriff Office Special Response Team (SRT). Medic 99 is an
unmarked black unit that deploys with SRT as well as part of any Rescue Task Force for special events/operations. |
| Mobile 1 | Mobile Command Post & Communications Unit | Mobile 1 is a specially equipped van (an RV chassis) configured with a mobile command post and communications
post to support EMS operations and activities in emergency responses, special event standbys, and more. |
| SOV1 | Special Operations Vehicle | Special Operations Vehicle 1 is specially equipped truck that carries various equipment for fire and rescue scene
rehab and support. This includes misting fans, first aid post equipment, tents, chairs, and a manifold where up to ten patients at a time may be supported with oxygen. This vehicle also carries extra tactical response equipment to support Law Enforcement. |
| MCI 1 | MCI Transport Unit | MCI 1 is a specially equipped bus that has been converted to transport up to six patients at a time. |
| MCI 2 | MCI Supplies & Equipment Trailer | MCI 2 is a specially equipped trailer that is designed to hold enough equipment to treat up to ninety patients. |
| MCI 3 | Mass Casualty Scene Support Unit | MCI 3 is a specially equipped trailer that contains tents, chairs, tables, and other items for establishing a medical
"camp" for mass casualty and long term operations. |
| Decon 1 | HazMat Decon Unit | A trailer equipped with decontamination equipment as well as a walkthrough shower. |
| EMCAT 1 | Emergency Medical Cart/All Terrain (EMCAT) | A specially built gator that can be equipped ALS or BLS and transport a patient on a stretcher that is interchangeable
with any responding transporting units. |
| EMCAT 2 | Emergency Medical Cart/All Terrain (EMCAT) | A specially built gator that can be equipped ALS or BLS and transport a patient on a stretcher that is interchangeable
with any responding transporting units. |
| EMCAT 3 | Emergency Medical Cart/All Terrain (EMCAT) | A specially built gator that can be equipped ALS or BLS and transport a patient on a stretcher that is interchangeable
with any responding transporting units. |
All EMS vehicles are marked with a fleet number on their livery and not the unit number so they can be interchanged as needed. Vehicles have a location on each side of the vehicle where the unit identifier can be slid in and out of place.