Guilford County Emergency Medical Services provides paramedic coverage to 450,000 permanent residents and 60,000 commuters who live and work in the 649 square miles of Guilford County, including the cities of Greensboro and High Point. Providing EMS to such a large land area is challenging. The average population density is 693 people per square mile. In some urban areas the population density exceeds 8,000 people per square mile. EMS call demands are directly related to population density. In order to provide adequate service to the citizens and commuters, Guilford County EMS fields units in different areas of the county at different times of the day. For instance, bedroom communities need greater protection at night than they do during the day when residents are working at a different location. Additionally, the average citizen’s commute time of 20 minutes adds to the challenge of providing adequate service by increasing the number of traffic collisions and increasing the traffic volume on primary routes used by EMS vehicles.

Providing EMS to such a large area and population base requires the coordinated efforts of an entire EMS system, not just ambulances and paramedics.

Guilford County EMS System Components

 Guilford Metro 9-1-1

Guilford Metro 9-1-1 is the first point of contact for most citizens requesting emergency medical assistance. This unique partnership between Guilford County and the City of Greensboro is responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls from citizens located inside Greensboro and in the remaining portion of Guilford County that is not inside the corporate limits of the City of High Point. Guilford Metro 9-1-1 uses 9-1-1- Enhanced technology and is Phase II compliant for wireless emergency call location determination. The National Academy of Emergency Dispatch certifies all personnel at Guilford Metro 9-1-1 who answer emergency medical calls as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs). The EMDs are trained to gather information related to a call to insure the right resources are sent to the right location, the right way, at the right time. Additionally, the EMDs provide Pre-arrival and Post Dispatch Instructions to callers before help arrives. To find out more about Guilford Metro 9-1-1, visit their website located in the Links section.

The other critical service provided by Guilford Metro 9-1-1 involves dispatching, monitoring and coordinating EMS resources by Mobile Computer Terminal and radio. EMDs must be knowledgeable of the geography of the county and be able to make decisions regarding unit assignments and district standbys to fill empty response zones. Additionally, the EMDs must coordinate out of county EMS requests to speak with local hospitals and request medical helicopter services when appropriate.

First Responders

Since the 1970’s, Guilford County has embraced the concept of an EMS System by using first response agencies to enhance the level of service provided to people in need. First response agencies are dispatched to respond with EMS resources to potentially life threatening calls. Traditional first response agencies include the City of Greensboro Fire Department, the City of High Point Fire Department, Guilford County Fire Departments and Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue. Collectively, these first response agencies respond to greater than 30,000 emergency calls with Guilford County EMS. First response personnel are generally certified to the EMT level. The exceptions are Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue, a franchisee of Guilford County, and Oak Ridge Fire Department. Both of these organizations respond with personnel who are credentialed at the EMT-Intermediate level.

Guilford County is fortunate to have an extensive network of dedicated first responders who serve as the backbone of the EMS system.

The following is a list of first response agencies used in the Guilford County EMS System:

Guilford County EMS

Guilford County EMS is the paramedic level provider of pre-hospital services to the entire population of Guilford County. County paramedic transport units are easily recognizable by their yellow and white paint scheme. All County EMS units are staffed by at least one paramedic. Support units are generally painted white with yellow striping to identify their role on the scene of an emergency. Support units include “Medic” units that are staffed with one or two personnel that respond to emergencies to assess and treat patients while transport units are enroute. Disaster and rehabilitation units are also considered support units. Guilford County EMS employs approximately 200 personnel.

A typical day at EMS begins with crew change. Off-going crews exchange equipment and important information with on-coming personnel. On duty personnel acquire all the necessary equipment to be prepared to receive calls, respond to calls, assess, treat and transport patients. As soon as possible, the on duty crews check all equipment assigned to their unit. This includes a verification that the vehicle is ready for a safe response to calls and is equipped to handle any medical emergency the crew may encounter. Other general duties include housekeeping at the base of operations, training and equipment maintenance or cleaning. Most EMS personnel work a fixed 12-hour schedule, but a small number are assigned to a 24-hour on duty, 48-hour off duty schedule. Crews respond to anywhere from two calls per shift in rural areas, to as many as 15 calls per shift in urban areas. It is not unusual for crews to work the entire shift without the convenience of meal or personal breaks. On an average day, Guilford County EMS fields 12 transport units, 5-6 quick response units and 1 supervisor’s unit.

To schedule a tour of a Guilford County EMS facility, please contact Yolanda Harris at 336-641-3811.

Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue

Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue is a franchisee of Guilford County. This valuable organization fields 10 ambulances in Guilford County on a daily basis. Three of the units are on duty 24 hours a day to supplement Guilford County EMS resources. Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue’s primary role is non-emergency response and scheduled transports, however they fill-in on emergency calls when they are closer than County units. Additionally, they respond to multiple patient incidents and disasters to augment County resources. Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue has a rich history of providing outstanding service to the citizens of Guilford County and currently staffs all their ambulances at the ALS level with at least one EMT-Intermediate. These units can be seen on Guilford County roads at all hours of the day and are easily recognizable by their blue and white color scheme. Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue functions under Guilford County Medical Control and adheres to the Guilford County EMS system protocols. Due to this fact, they are dispatched to respond on emergency calls when no paramedic units are available.

Critical Care Transport Services

Moses Cone Health System (CareLink) and High Point Regional Health System (HP-1) provide critical Care Transport Services. These units provide interfacility transportation of patients who require intensive care not available in traditional ambulances. Currently, CareLink provides 24-hour coverage and HP-1 provides coverage M-F from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Critical Care Transport Services are part of the local disaster response plan.

 Receiving Facilities

Guilford County EMS units routinely transport patients to the Moses Cone Health System and High Point Regional Health System. Most patients are transported to hospital destinations based on geographic location of the call in accordance with local transport protocols. To a lesser degree, patients are transported to hospitals in other communities including Winston-Salem, Burlington and Reidsville. Since out of county transports require a significant amount of additional time, on duty supervisors must authorize transports to destinations outside Guilford County.