Division of EMS Operations:

Shane Zook
Deputy Director of EMS Operations

Anderson County EMS operates six full time paramedic units that are on duty 24 hours per day 365 days per year. These units are strategically placed throughout the county in order to ensure a rapid response in the event of a medical emergency. Our ALS staff operate on a 24 hours on, 48 hours off shift rotation with a roaming Paramedic supervisor available at all times. ALS units are always staffed with a paramedic and a full supply of advanced medical equipment. Advanced Life Support units are capable of performing a wide variety of medical procedures "in the field" as to provide the best patient outcome possible. Some of these procedures include: EKG monitoring, 12-Lead EKG interpretation, endotracheal intubation, manual defibrillation / cardioversion, CPAP, advanced medication administration, needle chest decompression, and the establishment of intraosseous access. All advanced life support providers in Anderson County follow protocols set forth by our Clinical Operating Guidelines in conjunction with American Heart Association Protocols. We are also fortunate to have an aeromedical helicopter operated by University of Tennessee Lifestar based within our county. Lifestar is based out of Andersonville and can be activated by any credentialed provider within our system.

Anderson County EMS also operates five full time BLS units, operational between the hours of 06:00 and 19:00. BLS units operate daily Monday - Friday with limited availability on Saturday. These units are responsible for transporting non-emergency calls for service such as: dialysis appointments, doctors appointments, and hospital discharges. Our BLS units also serve to supplement ALS units when unusually busy call volumes manifest. BLS units will be dispatched to provide first responder services when a delay in ALS response is anticipated or no other first responder services are available.All BLS units operate off an extremely organized schedule to meet the demands our system requires. For this reason, if you have scheduled a non-emergency transport we ask that you have all appropriate paperwork completed prior to pick-up. If the patient has personal belongings, we also ask you have these items packed and prepared for transport. While all attempts are made to complete transport in a timely and efficient manner, please understand there are rare circumstances that may delay our units. If you have questions or concerns regarding a transport, please contact our transportation coordinator or on duty supervisor for further assistance.