emergency servicesEmergency Medical Services Operations OverviewCherokee County Fire-Emergency Services provides emergency medical services for all of Cherokee County including surrounding cities. The system is based upon a nationally recognized operations' model that seeks to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) to life threatening calls within eight minutes and Advanced Life Support (ALS) within twelve minutes. Each Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services station has at least one (1) apparatus that has been certified by the State of Georgia to provide First Response. These units are staffed with Georgia Certified Emergency Medical Technicians and/or Paramedics and provide Automatic External Defibrillation, oxygen therapy, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Intravenous Therapy, Advanced Airway Management adjuncts, and several life-saving medications. These units are dispatched to significant medical and trauma calls to provide care to the patient until the ambulance (Squad) arrives. Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services provides nine (9) Advanced Life Support ambulances (known as Squads) twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.
All pre-hospital emergency medical care provided by Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services is done under the direction of the Department Medical Director. The Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics provide care to each patient based upon extensive training and written protocols that define the manner in which they practice patient care. Based on the needs of the patient, Paramedics provide advanced medical care that may include administration of medications, performance of various medical procedures and determination of appropriate medical facility for the patient. Paramedics provide medical care at the scene and en route to the medical facility. Upon completion of each emergency call, the Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic documents the patient's information, the circumstances of the emergency event, and the treatment provided to the patient. This information is confidential and can only be released to parties, other than the patient, with a court order. Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services utilizes laptop computers to document all patient care activities. This documentation becomes the basis for medical billing and collections. At the direction of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services bills for medical care and transportation. Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Services utilizes a billing service that is responsible for submission of information to insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and individuals for payment of medical care services.
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