Rockingham County EMS relies heavily on EMT first responders from local volunteer fire departments and rescue squads to begin patient care prior to the arrival of our Paramedic ambulance.
 

First Responders assess the Patient and perform any Basic Life Support (BLS) treatment necessary including; cardiac defibrillization, CPR, hemorrhage control, and administration of oxygen. They may also assist the patient in taking their own prescribed medications and administer epinephrine to treat a life-threatening allergic reaction. When the Paramedic ambulance arrives any advanced life support (ALS) care needed can be administered at that time. This includes inserting a tube into a patient's lungs who is unable to breathe on their own, starting any IVs that may be necessary, cardiac monitoring with EKG interpretation and administration of critical care medications.

Due to the performance of invasive procedures and the broader scope of practice, Paramedics require a higher level of training than EMTs. More than 1000 hours of initial education is required in addition to monthly continuing education and frequent hands on skill competency evaluations once Paramedic level certification has been reached. In comparison, EMT certification requires only 120 hours of classroom time.

All emergency calls outside of the cities of Eden and Reidsville go directly to the 9-1-1 Center located in Wentworth. There the call is categorized by complaint and sent to a Telecommunicator. On average there are four Telecommunicators on duty per shift and each one is assigned to handle a specific agency, i.e. Sheriff, County Fire, Madison Police or EMS. Rockingham County EMS responds to all medically related 9-1-1 calls and also provides the non-emergency transports within and out of the County.

All of our ambulances are staffed with 2 personnel, of which at least one is at the Paramedic level.  All of our personnel are certified at the state and local levels with some being Nationally Registered Paramedics Critical Care Paramedics and Tactical Paramedics. In addition, Rockingham County EMS is assisted by Reidsville Fire Department, Eden Fire Department, numerous county volunteer fire departments, Reidsville Rescue, Eden Rescue and Madison Rescue.

All of our on-line ambulances are Type III models, which provide a passageway connecting the patient compartment with the driver's compartment. This provides easy access and ability to communicate between the attendant and the driver. We currently operate 4, 24-hour ALS ambulances, 2 12 hour ALS ambulances, and 1 QRV (quick response vehicle) that is staffed with 1 Paramedic to provide care until the transporting ambulance can arrive.

These ambulances respond from stations located around the county. Base 3 is located in Reidsville and houses 2, 24-hour ambulances; Base 1 is located in Eden and houses 2, 24-hour ambulances and our prime time unit. Base 2 is located in Mayodan and houses 1, 24 hour unit, Base 6 is located in Huntsville with 1 24-hour unit and Base 4 is located at the Bethany Fire Department and houses our 24-hour QRV. 

Employees