Stokes County EMS History

Stokes County Emergency Medical Service

During the latter part of 1972 and the early part of 1973, the Stokes County Board of County

Commissioners held several meetings with local rescue squad representatives, funeral directors and

community leaders regarding the establishment of a county-wide emergency medical service.

April 2, 1973—The Stokes County Board of County Commissioners appoint members to the EMS

Council. This council was charged with developing a plan for the EMS system for Stokes County.

July 11, 1973—The Stokes County Board of County Commissioners appropriate $150,000.00 for

Emergency Medical Services for the Fiscal Year ‘73-’74.

November 5, 1973—Tony Culler is appointed Director.

February 15, 1974—Bids are opened for four (4) Type I Ambulances. Low bids for four (4) one-ton

chassis was $17,413.84 by Plunkett Chevrolet. Emergency Equipment, Inc. was the low bidder for four (4)

modules to be built and placed on the chassis for $37,956.00.

April 1, 1974—Employees for Stokes County EMS begin orientation. Original employees were:

Carlis Bullins, Donnie Culler, Lester Fulk, Ricky Hughes, Archie Mabe, Randy Morgan, Arnold Nelson, Drexdal Pratt, Wayne Pruitt, Otha Shelton, Russell Slate, Jim Southard, Wayne Tilley, Bob Wiles, and Ray Wilson.

April 8, 1974—Employees for Stokes County EMS begin EMT Class at Forsyth Memorial Hospital. The

class was taught by Dr. Fred Glass, Dr. L.W. Stringer and Butch Granaman. After certification, the

employees work a 24-24 schedule. They assist with the building of ambulance bays and local rescue

squads when needed.

December 30, 1974—The Stokes County Board of County Commissioners elect to give EMS employees a raise. EMS Attendants are now making $2.05 per hour. EMS Crew Chiefs and Dispatchers are making $2.15 per hour.

July 1976— Stokes County begins providing EMT-IV (Intermediate) level of service. Dr. Rudolfo Flores is the Program Medical Director.

December 29, 1976—The first Audit and Review Committee meeting is held at Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

October 17, 1977—Ken Bishop is appointed Director.

January 2, 1979—The Stokes County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approve the Mobile Intensive Care Program.

November 1, 1979—Mobile Intensive Care class begins. Dr. F.R. (Bob) Glatz is the program Medical Director.

April 1, 1980—Don George is appointed Director.

March 16, 1981—Stokes County begins providing Mobile Intensive Care (EMT-P) level service.

July 1, 1981—The position of Shift Supervisors is established and the supervisors are selected. The original shift supervisors were: Randy Morgan, Drexdal Pratt, and Ray Wilson.

August 26, 1983—Drexdal Pratt is appointed Director.

September 26, 1983— Sherrill Kiser is promoted to “B” Shift Supervisor.

August 7, 1984—Billy Whitson is promoted to Training Officer.

April 7, 1986—Veronda Pruitt is named Training Officer, replacing Billy Whitson.

December 14, 1987—Ricky Tuttle is appointed Director, replacing Drexdal Pratt, who resigned to take a regional coordinators position with the NC Office of EMS.

June 24, 1988—Monty Stevens is promoted to Training Officer, replacing Veronda Pruitt, who resigned to take a position with Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

May 4, 1994—A fourth unit is added. This unit will operate at the EMT-Intermediate level and be on call Monday-Friday 7am-7pm. This unit will be stationed at the Pinnacle station.

November 28, 1997—Greg Collins is promoted to “A” Shift Supervisor, replacing Randy Morgan who recently retired.

June 1, 1998—Dr. F.R. (Bob) Glatz announces his retirement as Medical Director.

July 1, 1998—Dr. Edward Pollock, Jr. is appointed Medical Director.

August 1, 1999—Stokes County EMS begins computerized call reports. This is a regional project for Region I.

September 13, 1999—Unit 4 begins operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The unit will also be staffed and function at the EMT-P level.

September 1, 2000—Dr. Carl Beavers is appointed Medical Director.

April 30, 2003- Wayne Tilley retires with 30 years of service to Stokes County.

July 29, 2003-Ray Wilson retires with 30 years of service to Stokes County.

October 30, 2003- Thomas Gordon retires with 30 years of service to Stokes County.

December 2003- 12 lead EKG acquisition begins.

February 9, 2004– Monty Stevens is appointed Director, replacing Ricky Tuttle, who resigned to take an Area Coordinators position with the NC Division of Emergency Management.

February 20, 2004- Doug Bullins is promoted to “C-Shift Supervisor, replacing Ray Wilson.

March 30, 2004- Teddy Bennett retires with 30 years of service to Stokes County.

April 14, 2004- Brian Booe is promoted to Training Officer, replacing Monty Stevens.

December 30, 2004- Unit Five officially begins operations at 06:45 a.m. This brings the current level of operations to five fulltime units twenty-four (24) hours a day.

February 1, 2005- David Gordon retires after 30 years of service to Stokes County.

February 14, 2005 -Greg Collins is promoted to Assistant EMS Director.

March 14, 2005- Charles Hartgrove is promoted to “A” Shift Supervisor replacing Greg Collins.

August 29, 2005- Sherrill Kiser retires with 30 years of service to Stokes County.

October 4, 2005- Scott Brown and Fred Lawson win 2005 NC Paramedic Competition in Greensboro, NC.

October 6, 2005- Brandon Gentry is promoted to “B” Shift Supervisor replacing Sherrill Kiser.

December 17, 2005– First Annual Holiday Banquet held at Trinity United Methodist Church. Billy Haynes from Wake Forest University Medical Center was guest speaker. Dr. F.R. “Bob” Glatz, former medical director, presented the Dr. F.R. Glatz Paramedic of the Year Award to Marty Boles. Dale Doss was honored as the Employee of the Year and Richard Martin was honored as Rookie of the Year. Several other employees received departmental awards.

April 2006- 12 Lead Transmission begins to Forsyth Medical Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and Moses Cone Health Systems.

December 2, 2006– Second Annual Holiday Banquet held at Trinity United Methodist Church. Chief Drexdal Pratt of the NC Office of EMS and previous Stokes County ES Director was guest speaker. Chief Pratt presented the Dr. F.R. Glatz Paramedic of the Year Award to Dale Doss. Wayne Tilley was honored as Employee of the Year. Sam Pennington was honored as Rookie of the Year. Several other employees received departmental awards.

May 2007- Annual EMS celebration held at Moratock Park. Wayne Tilley is recognized by Forsyth Medical Center for his contributions to the EMS profession.

October 9, 2007- Scott Brown and Fred Lawson win 2007 NC Paramedic Competition in Greensboro, NC.

December 8, 2007– Third Annual Holiday Banquet held at Trinity United Methodist Church. Dr. Darrell Nelson, ED Physician with Forsyth Medical Center and previous paramedic with Stokes County was guest speaker. Dr. Nelson presented the Dr. F.R. Glatz Paramedic of the Year Award to Brian Booe. Dale Doss was honored as Employee of the Year. Tim Settle and Ashley Conaway were honored as Rookie of the Year. Several other employees received departmental awards.

October 7, 2008- Scott Brown and Fred Lawson win 2008 NC Paramedic Competition in Greensboro, NC.

July 20, 2009—The Official Groundbreaking is held at 2610 Chestnut Grove Road for the new Station 3. Wishon-Carter Builders of Yadkinville won the bid for General Contractor of the project. The bid submitted by Wishon-Carter was $339,989.00 and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

September 15, 2009—Dr. Darrell Nelson is appointed as Medical Director. Dr. Nelson replaces Dr. Carl Beavers who suddenly passed away November 20, 2008.