Lancaster County EMS earns pediatric-ready certification; crews credited with multiple field births

Lancaster County EMS on Tuesday received recognition for pediatric-ready certification from the state and honors for staff patient-care performance; council members also recognized EMS crews who assisted in multiple field births in recent weeks.

Jeff Cato introduced the presentation and said the county’s EMS service became the 10th licensed EMS agency in South Carolina to receive the state’s PEDI Ready certification for advanced pediatric care. County staff said the certification required meeting 37 criteria, bringing outreach and hospital coordination into compliance and ensuring a large share of employees completed additional pediatric training; inspectors sampled ambulances and the county scored 100 on both inspected vehicles.

County staff then described a recent emergency call out of county: Lancaster EMS crews were dispatched to Kershaw County for a woman in active labor when local responders could not complete the call. Lead paramedic accounts described rapid transport and an imminent delivery; crews delivered the baby and removed a cord wrapped around the infant’s neck on scene. Staff recognized Michelle Harris, Josh Paris and others for their roles.

Why it matters: the certification indicates a county ambulance service meets state standards for pediatric advanced life support; the field births underscore the role of EMS in responding to emergent births and trauma outside of hospitals.

Ending

Councilmembers praised EMS staff for their training and service; staff said the department continues training and will display the PEDI Ready designation on ambulances.