With the limited number of County operated emergency ambulances, it is not possible to routinely transport patients outside of Colleton County. Fire-Rescue operates emergency ambulances which when used properly by the citizens, should be called only when a medical emergency exists. Emergencies are transported to the closest appropriate medical facility (hospital). Colleton County has a single hospital, so the majority of the patients transported by a Fire-Rescue ambulance are transported to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro.
At times, medical conditions dictate transportation to a medical facility outside of Colleton County. Severe trauma patients are generally transported to a Regional Trauma Center. Fire-Rescue typically utilizes one of several air medical (helicopter) services for this purpose. On the rare occasion when a medical helicopter is not available and the patient’s severe injury and medical condition dictates the need for a Trauma Center, a Fire-Rescue ambulance may under certain conditions transport the patient directly to the Trauma Center outside of the County.