Emergency Medical Services

In 1996, the Kent County Commissioners started the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system to assist the volunteer ambulance companies with the increasing number of medical calls and the decreasing number of volunteer responders. Since the Sheriff's Office already had a deputy who was licensed as a paramedic, he began to provide advance life support to the sick and injured in addition to law enforcement duties.

Since its inception in 1996, the EMS program has grown from 40 hour per week coverage to the current coverage of 24 hours, 7 days per week using full-time and additional part-time paramedics.

Paramedics are the most highly trained emergency response personnel to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) to patients in the field. This care includes starting intravenous lines, administering medications, monitoring electrocardiograms, defibrillation and other highly skilled procedures.

Kent County EMS, in cooperation with the Sheriff's Department, coordinates two programs for the citizens of Kent County:

• The 9-1-1 Light Program provides a special light bulb that flashes when activated. This device, when placed in a porch light, will allow emergency responders to find the location of the emergency more quickly.
• Refrigerator cards that attach to your refrigerator with magnets provide vital emergency medical information to EMS providers. This information can save time and eliminate confusion during a medical emergency.
• If requested a paramedic will schedule an appointment to come to your home, conduct a home safety survey, help you install a 9-1-1 light and complete a refrigerator card.

If you would like more information about these free programs or have questions about Kent County EMS, please call 410-778-7438.