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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — The South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) will host an EMS Appreciation Celebration in honor of the 50^th Anniversary of National EMS Week on May 25 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, 1200 Rosewood Dr. The event will showcase a statewide ambulance procession, family fun day with Stop the Bleed and CPR demos, an interactive Touch-a-Truck display, and a concert featuring Taylor Ingle, Corey Smith, and the Frontmen. Governor Henry McMaster will attend and issue a proclamation for EMS Week.

"EMS personnel are the unsung heroes in our communities, and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate their incredible work during National EMS Week," said Henry Lewis, Executive Director of SCEMSA. "The EMS Appreciation Celebration is a chance for us to recognize the hard work and dedication of these men and women, and we hope that this event will help raise awareness about the critical role of EMS services in our communities." 

National EMS Week is an annual event that recognizes the dedication of EMS personnel and the critical role they play in our communities. SCEMSA is proud to be able to celebrate this milestone anniversary with the EMS Appreciation Celebration and hopes that this event will help raise awareness about the importance of EMS services in South Carolina and beyond. SCEMSA plans to offer special perks to EMS personnel with valid credentials who attend the event.  

This event is open to the public, and SCEMSA invites everyone to join them in celebrating the hardworking EMS personnel throughout South Carolina.

What: EMS Appreciation Celebration

When: May 25, 2024 (Procession begins at 10:30 a.m. Event gates open 11:30 a.m.)

Where: 1200 Rosewood Dr. Columbia SC, 29201

Who: Emergency Medical Service Personnel

Why: To celebrate and honor the contributions of EMS personnel.

Admission is $15 per person, and children 12 and under get in free

We are gearing up for EMS Week 2024 Celebrations with lots of events and activities for everyone!  See complete details at scemsa.org/emsweek.  We are planning events, including:

• Special EMS Week apparel is available for purchase for yourself, your partner/crew, your agency, or anyone!
  
• Baseball games at the Charleston Riverdogs, Columbia Fireflies, and the Greenville Drive on May 19 and 22 with lots of exclusive benefits for first responders including food and a special seating area.
• 50% off park and ride passes at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, SC on May 20.
• There is camping for First Responders and their families at Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, SC from May 23-26th.
• Our annual golf tournament on May 24 in Lexington, SC.
• We will end the week with a large appreciation celebration event on Saturday, May 25 starting with a parade and ending with an event for everyone at the SC State Fairgrounds. Watch for details and the concert announcement coming soon!

Learn more or register for events at scemsa.org/emsweek!  We hope to see you at one or more of these events during the week.

Sponsorship opportunities also available.

If you have any questions, contact Mandy Gattis.

• Does your organization receive federal healthcare funds?
• Do you bill Medicare or Medicaid?

If so, you are required by federal law to have an EMS-specific healthcare compliance program.

That is where EMS Compliance comes in. They provide a step-by-step guide to get your program up and running quickly. This is an easy button to make sure you are protected sooner rather than later!

Why?

Medicare is targeting emergency ambulance services in South Carolina and across the country for improper claims. If your organization comes under investigation and you do not have a compliance program in place, you are at significantly greater risk for massive fines and could even be held personally responsible.

The urgency and importance of having a compliance program cannot be overstated.

That is why SCEMSA has signed an affiliate partnership agreement with EMS Compliance and is thrilled to offer its members an effective EMS Compliance solution at a special discounted rate that makes compliance attainable for all within the association.

About EMS Compliance

The EMS Compliance solution is the only program specifically tailored for EMS services. Designed by industry experts, the EMS Compliance solution is...

• easy-to-implement
• meets all federal requirements, and
• for members of the South Carolina EMS Association, it is now more affordable than ever!

To learn more visit: https://emscompliance.com/ref/SCEMSA/

Ready to subscribe?

Click on the link below and be sure to enter promo code “SCEMSA” at the top of the checkout page to redeem your annual, $270 recurring SCEMSA discount! https://emscompliance.com/product/subscription-yearly/ref/SCEMSA/

Additional questions?

Contact Steve Lemmon - Slemmon@emscompliance.com.

SCEMSA is expanding into new social media platforms, and we encourage you to follow us! We will be highlighting members, agencies, events, and other exciting news across our new channels. Don't miss out!

Follow us by clicking on the social media buttons below.

          

EMS professionals, are you ready to take the next step in your career advancement? 

Moving into Emergency Medicine management increasingly requires a four-year college degree alongside your skills and experience, and we understand that you are a busy EMS professional with a demanding schedule. That is why we are excited to introduce our fully-online Bachelors Degree in Healthcare Administration, designed specifically for you by the South Carolina EMS Association and Columbia College!

Our BHCA program is taught by industry professional educators who combine theory with practical, real-world experience. You will learn the ins and outs of healthcare administration, from community and public healthcare to regulatory and accreditation issues, from information technology to leadership and management ethics in healthcare. Trauma-Informed Care and Leadership are coming to the program soon, as well, as we adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.

With courses that are only 7 weeks in length and 6 semesters each year, you can complete this degree on your own schedule, without ever having to come to campus. If you live in the area and want to take a class on campus, that is certainly an option (the HCA courses are online only). If you already have college credit, we will transfer as much of that credit as possible toward your degree completion.

You will have a dedicated Academic Advisor with a background in EMS to help you navigate and customize your degree program. Plus, we offer a range of minors to choose from, including:  Business, Disaster Management, and Education, with more coming in the near future.

Our program is led by Dr. Carl Moore, the Chair of Healthcare Administration, who has worked with Newberry County EMS and the Prosperity Rescue Squad since 2011, and is a Dive Medic and Captain of the Newberry County Public Safety Dive Team (Station 17).

Next Steps

• So, if you are ready to take the next step in your career and advance your knowledge in Healthcare Administration, do not wait! Email Dr. Moore at cmoore@columbiasc.edu to schedule a conversation about what Columbia College can do for you and how we can map your educational journey.
• If you are ready to sign up, submit your application today and let’s get the process started!

Summer classes begin May 1 – time to get your paperwork in and processed if you start now.

You have the clinical skills and experience. Now, add the Administration, Management, and Leadership skills. 

Columbia College also offers a Masters in Healthcare Administration degree that is ranked nationally.

Columbia College has provided a quality education to students for almost 170 years. As a private, nonprofit college, we offer over 40 degree programs including associate, bachelors, and masters degrees, many of which are ranked highly, both locally and nationally.

If you missed the webinar on the South Carolina Student Loan BOLD Program we have a recording that you can view here.

This program is a fairly new program in SC. The BOLD loan program aims to partner with employers and students and create a loan product for the students that covers the allocated amount decided by the employer and based on the employers terms. Should the student violate those terms (fail the class, change employment, etc.) BOLD then assigns the loan to the student, so there is no loss from the employer. 

Project BOLD connects students, educators, and employers. Partnering students with employers at the beginning of the educational path provides a direct line to employment, enhances recruitment and retention, and reduces loan debt to student borrowers.

The BOLD Process

• The student contacts SCSLC for eligibility information
• Based on the employer's terms, the student signs an employer agreement
• BOLD handles the loan process with the student and college
• Employment begins after graduation
• The employer pays annually based on the original agreement with our organization.

Download the program flyer here for more details.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Destra Capers at dcapers@scstudentloan.org.

The South Carolina EMS Association is an inclusive, statewide association for all emergency medical services in the state of South Carolina. The SCEMSA is dedicated to the advocacy and improvement in the EMS industry through research, data analysis and education.

What is the South Carolina EMS Association currently doing in South Carolina?

• Bylaw revision: This was a huge step to making the membership more inclusive. The revision of the Board of Directors to include a cross section of all types of EMS within the state.
• Merger of the SC Private Ambulance Providers back into the SCEMSA to create a unified voice for all of EMS with the state.
• Merger of the SC Public Information and Education group under the umbrella of the SCEMSA
• Ongoing negotiations about merging the Air Ambulance Association and the SC EMS Educators Association

Learn more about SCEMSA here.