The Wake County EMS System

Wake County EMS currently contracts with six nonprofit organizations to assist in providing local EMS service. Wake County EMS also utilizes 23 fire departments who provide first responder service and three emergency communications centers. All together, this makes up the Wake County EMS System, which operate 35 ambulances from 23 locations with 825 ALS personnel. In 2002 the EMS System answered more than 50,000 medical requests for service.

In March 2003, the EMS System began using an Electronic Call Reporting system (ECR) from Healthware Solutions. The ECR system and laptop computers allows for faster patient care documentation and billing.

The System is currently renovating its Communication System. The 911 Centers are getting a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), which will allow for faster processing of 911 calls and faster response from the closest units.

In early 2005, Wake County converted to a digital Motorola Smartzone 800-Mhz system for all communications. This will allow for different agencies, such as fire and EMS, to talk to each other at the scene of an emergency.

In May 2003, the Wake County EMS System was designated a "Model System" by the State of North Carolina's Office of EMS. The Wake County EMS System was the third system designated with this honor. This designation will afford the System special privileges under State rules, including less regulatory oversight and longer credentialing periods for its personnel. The Model System designation is similar to accreditation, ensuring that the EMS system is providing the best service to Wake County.