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Pickens County expands EMS capability, reports high 911 volume as new fire stations advance
Summary
Director of Public Safety Sloan Elrod reported heavy 911 and nonemergency call volumes through April 2026, launch of a field blood‑transfusion program, ongoing firefighter and EMS training, and construction progress at Stations 7 and 10.
Sloan Elrod, Director of Public Safety Operations for Pickens County, told the Board during its May 4 work session that dispatch and emergency services activity remained high through April 2026 and the department is expanding medical and response capacity.
Elrod said E‑911 processed 15,019 total 911 calls and 15,140 nonemergency calls through April. Law‑enforcement‑related calls totaled 10,617; miscellaneous calls, including spam and accidental dials, were 9,140. The department completed 32,065 computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) modifications, assigned or modified 84 addresses, approved six road names and processed 303 parcel divisions or changes, he reported.
Elrod said Emergency Management closed two older GEMA/FEMA grants, producing reimbursements to Pickens County totaling $116,079.65. He said the department is leading an After‑Action Review of the VA Clinic shooting report and is collaborating with the Pickens Collective and Pickens Family Connection to strengthen disaster recovery capabilities.
On medical response, Elrod said a field blood transfusion program has officially launched, with equipment installed and personnel trained. The department likewise completed two investigator training courses, six community risk reduction classes, and 26 fire inspections, he added.
Construction on Station 7 is under way with sheetrock installed and painting preparations in progress; Station 10 began construction April 21 and is expected to be completed by the end of May, Elrod said. Staffing remains strong, he added, with one full‑time vacancy; interviews were completed recently to fill three part‑time positions and one full‑time role.
Elrod also reported recent training and readiness work: a combined volunteer and career Firefighter 1 class graduated, AED maintenance was completed across stations, a repeater radio was installed in Engine 12 to improve western‑county communications, and a support firefighter class added eight new volunteer support firefighters. He said plans are in place to host an in‑house paramedic class in partnership with Jasper Fire, tentatively scheduled for July 2026.
The report provided the Board with numbers and near‑term project timelines rather than requests for immediate policy action. Chairman Kris Stancil and other commissioners did not take formal votes on the items; the updates will inform future staffing and capital planning decisions.
