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About SCEMSA
MISSION: Improving EMS through Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education. VISION: The SCEMSA’s vision is to increase the numbers of EMS professionals in the State, and to subsequently increase the number of those EMS professionals joining the association. GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Support and provide quality healthcare, educate communities of the necessity of EMS, and acquiring grants. |
Our Journey
The South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) has been at the forefront of advocating for and advancing the EMS profession in South Carolina since its inception. Our journey began in 2016 when we recognized the need to expand our footprint into workforce development. In the subsequent years, SCEMSA merged various EMS entities, including the private EMS association, the peer team, the educators association, and the air ambulance association, under a single umbrella. This made SCEMSA the only EMS association in the country representing all facets of EMS with one voice.
Achievements
Expansion into Workforce Development (2016-Present):
- Led by then-President Doug Warren, SCEMSA focused on workforce development.
- Established the Workforce Development Committee to unify the EMS voice across South Carolina.
- Merged various EMS entities, including private EMS, the Peer Team, the Educators Association, and the Air Ambulance Association, under one umbrella.
- Became the only EMS association in the U.S. representing all facets of EMS.
Data-Driven Approaches and Funding:
- Partnered with the South Carolina Office of Healthcare Workforce in 2018 and 2019 for critical studies on the EMS workforce and EMT training.
- Secured $300 million in catalyst funding from the General Assembly.
- Allocated $150,000 to launch the state’s first statewide workforce development initiatives.
Legislative and Funding Successes:
- Passed House Bill 4601, making South Carolina the 12th state to establish EMS as an essential service.
- Achieved a 10% increase in Medicaid.
- Created the EMS dashboard and established the EMS Association Foundation, awarding over $300,000 in scholarships.
- Assumed responsibility for the annual EMS symposium in 2023, marking the first full year of leadership in this critical event.
- Launched the South Carolina EMS Leadership I course, graduating the first two cohorts in 2024.
- Continued commitment to providing relevant information and educational opportunities, including specialized workshops and national speaker engagements.
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