Chatham Emergency Services
Chatham Emergency Services (CES) is a community-owned, nonprofit fire and Emergency Medical Services provider based in Savannah, Georgia. The organization was originally formed in 1961 by a group of volunteers committed to providing fire service to residents of Chatham County, Georgia.[1]
The organization supports local fire departments through subscription-based collections.[2] Chatham Emergency Services has been featured on Fox Business for its unique business model of a not-for-profit organization offering emergency services that are typically provided by government entities.[3]
The organization was formerly known as the Southside Fire Department and began the process of rebranding itself as Chatham Emergency Services in the fall of 2017.[4] Chatham Emergency Services is designed to be self-sufficient and maintains its own dispatch, fleet repair and educational departments, creating internal efficiencies to reduce the taxpayer burden.[5] The department has achieved an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of class 2/2x, which is granted to only 2% of the fire departments in the nation.[6]
Chatham Emergency Services is comprised of five divisions: Islands, Montgomery, Skidaway Island, Southside Divisions and the Seventh District of Chatham County.[7] Led by Chief Executive Officer Chuck Kearns, the nonprofit fire and emergency medical services provider currently has volunteers and paid personnel who respond to requests annually. Kearns is a former president of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), the leading provider of continuing education services for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, and the recipient of a 2018 Service Appreciation Award from NAEMT.[8]
Over the years, Chatham Emergency Services has acquired Mercy Ambulance Service (1997), MedStar One Ambulance (2011) and Coastal Ambulance Service (2017).[9]
In 2015, Chatham Emergency Services was the first emergency organization in Georgia to launch PulsePoint and has registered almost 1,100 users in Chatham County.[10] This smartphone application notifies any CPR-certified responder and/or civilian when someone is in need of CPR, and provides a photo and location of the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED).[11] The organization has trained more than 575 individuals in compression CPR and AED usage.[12] Chatham Emergency Services also donated two AEDs and wall boxes to St. Peter the Apostle School and Parish Center.[13]
In 2017, Chatham Emergency Services evacuated more than 50 babies at a local hospital when coastal Georgia was threatened by Hurricane Irma[14] and has responded to Tropical Storm Hermine, Hurricane Matthew as well as a winter ice storm.[15]
In 2018, Chatham Emergency Services responded to a deadly plane crash on Georgia's Highway 21.[16] The aircraft was later revealed to be a C-130 cargo plane owned by the Puerto Rico National Guard. [17]
Chatham Emergency Services responded to over 168 patients throughout the 2018 Savannah St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration, which is one of the largest in the world.[18] They utilized five bike medic teams, six ATV medic teams, four walking medic teams and 16 ambulances, including two dual paramedic-staffed ambulances specifically reserved for the Vice President of the United States Mike Pence's motorcade. Shortly after the parade ended, Chatham Emergency Services responded to a partial building collapse at the Rogue Water Tap House.[19] The first paramedic arrived on the scene in 38 seconds and, within three minutes, 15 Chatham Emergency Services' paramedics and EMTs were assisting injured patrons.[20]
Chatham Emergency Services expanded their vehicle fleet to include three E-One "Typhoon" fire engines, also referred to as Rescue Pumpers, in the summer of 2018. These vehicles are outfitted with 750-gallon water tanks, a 1,250-gallon per minute pump capacity, scene lighting, the Jaws of Life vehicle extrication equipment and Basic Life Support (BLS) medical equipment. The new fire engines and command response vehicles offer technology upgrades, such as more efficient light bars and an enhanced on-board radio transmission system with improved voice clarity and extended reach.[21]
An organization known for its community involvement, Chatham Emergency Services recently donated two ambulances to the Goodness & Favour Medical Centre in Nigeria.[22]
References
- ↑ "History | Chatham Emergency Services". chathames.org. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ Chuck Kearns on Southside Fire Department's Unique Organization and Funding, retrieved 2018-07-23
- ↑ "The Business of Private Firefighting". Fox Business. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ Evans, Sean. "New name, look coming to Southside Fire Department". Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ Ray, Brittini. "Chatham Emergency Services unveils new fire equipment". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ "History | Chatham Emergency Services". chathames.org. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ "Contact | Chatham Emergency Services". chathames.org. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ "Chatham Emergency Services CEO Chuck Kearns Recognized by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians". Savannah CEO. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ "History | Chatham Emergency Services". chathames.org. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ wsavreneelasalle (2017-03-10). "Southside Fire & EMS's PulsePoint App is saving lives and it's FREE". WSAV. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- ↑ "PulsePoint.org". www.pulsepoint.org. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ "SSFD - PULSE POINT". Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ News, Savannah Morning. "YOUR GOOD NEWS: Chatham Emergency Services donates AEDs to St. Peter's the Apostle School and Parish Center". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ Gazaway, Wright. "Memorial Health evacuated over 50 babies ahead of Irma". Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ Smith, Romney. "Chatham Emergency Services responds to 300+ calls during winter storm". Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ↑ Williams, Dave (2018-05-03). "Chatham EMS describes plane crash scene". WJCL. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ "At least 5 dead after military plane crash in Savannah, Georgia". ABC News. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ "Savannah Saint Patrick's Day Parade | Savannah Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee". savannahsaintpatricksday.com. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ CNN, Mayra Cuevas. "Deck collapse at Georgia bar injures 14, two seriously". CNN. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ News, Savannah Morning. "Chatham Emergency Services releases St. Patrick's Day festival response statistics". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ↑ Evans, Sean. "Chatham Emergency Services adds to vehicle fleet". http://www.wtoc.com. Retrieved 2019-01-30. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ News, the Savannah Morning. "Your Good News: Two Chatham Emergency Services ambulances donated to clinic in Nigeria". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
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