Coffee Regional Medical Center EMS was recently selected as the 2018 Georgia Emergency Medical Service of the Year by the Georgia EMS Association (GEMSA). CRMC EMS was nominated for Service of the Year along with many other rural and metropolitan services. EMS Day at the Capitol was February 21, 2019 concluded by the EMS Awards reception that evening at the Georgia Freight Depot. The event was well-attended by service members, directors and medical personal from across the state and also included a visit by Governor Brian Kemp and other state elected officials.
At the reception, the 2018 EMS award nominees were recognized and Coffee Regional EMS was named Georgia Emergency Medical Service of the Year. The nominated EMS services were assessed by call volume, square miles of services area, number of EMS stations within that coverage area, number of paramedics, paramedicine techniques, public relations within their communities, staff training, and more. For a list of all nominated services, please visit https://georgiaemsassociation.com/capitol
Director of Coffee Regional EMS Andy Smith was presented the award by his former EMT student and Executive Director of GEMSA, Kim Littleton. Littleton recognized Coffee Regional EMS for doing more, with less and the challenges of working large, rural service such as Coffee County (over 600 square miles). CRMC EMS team members Presika Clements and Vicki Becotte were also in attendance and helped receive the award.
Three EMS stations, strategically placed throughout Coffee County, ensure emergencies are met in a timely manner even in far reaching areas of the county. The main station is located in Douglas, Ga while substations are located in both Broxton, Ga and Nicholls, Ga. CRMC EMS has a state-of-the-art, 7 unit, fleet equipped with life-saving equipment, allowing them to efficiently cover Coffee County. With 34 staff members and 7,000 EMS calls worked in 2018, CRMC EMS service stays very busy. Coffee Regional EMT’s are on the front lines, saving lives, every day and this recognition was much deserved.
An essential component to the new cardiac PCI program at Coffee Regional, CRMC EMS is trained to detect heart attacks and begin the administration of life-saving drugs to ensure patients have prompt care in an effort to minimize the effects of the heart attack before arriving at the new Heart & Vascular Center at Coffee Regional.
“I am so proud of my team today and every day,” said EMS Director Andy Smith. “Not only are we taking nearly 20 emergency calls per day, on average, but we also interact with and serve our community in additional ways.”
Providing quality care and service to the community 24 hours per day, seven days per week, Coffee Regional EMS has been the primary EMS provider in Coffee County for 50 years. EMS attends local sporting events, festivals, fairs and other large public events. In addition, Coffee Regional EMS visits Coffee County schools, clubs, and organizations throughout the year teaching students and community members hands-on emergency techniques.