Hawkins County EMS Seeks New Headquarters Amid Expansion and Organizational Shifts

Photo bycourtesy of Hawkins County EMS/facebook

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. — Hawkins County Emergency Medical Service (HCEMS) is actively searching for a new headquarters after the Hawkins County Rescue Squad notified them their lease at the rescue squad building was being terminated. The rescue squad building had been a shared facility for 36 years. This move underscores a pivotal moment for HCEMS as it explores becoming a county or quasi-government agency, potentially offering benefits like the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) for its personnel.

The HCEMS was informed their lease would end by the squad in January, with a deadline to vacate by April 25. This decision was propelled by HCRS's need for additional space to accommodate new equipment funded by grant money, including two new trucks and a rescue boat.

Photo bycourtesy of Hawkins County Rescue Squad/facebook

Eddie Williams, president of the Rescue Squad Board of Directors, emphasized the Rescue Squad's expansion needs, stating, "The storage space we have, and our other stuff, is just sort of piling up. We need to make better use of our building." This expansion is critical for the Rescue Squad, founded in 1973 and a volunteer agency providing a range of emergency services, from vehicle accident responses to water and rope rescues.

The longstanding relationship between the two entities began when HCRS founded HCEMS in 1987 as a non-profit ambulance service. However, recent shifts in the EMS Board of Directors' composition, moving from a rescue squad majority to a countywide membership, have marked a new phase in the organizations' collaboration.

Brenda Joyner, HCEMS board president, detailed the challenges of finding a new location in Rogersville, given the limited commercial property availability. The organization is considering various options, including renting or leasing a temporary space while seeking a permanent station. "Either way, the provision of exemplary emergency medical care, the long term financial stability of HCEMS, and the continuity of our relationships with our employees, patients, agencies, and vendors remains at the forefront of our minds," Joyner stated.

The separation of HCEMS from HCRS, while sudden, is part of a broader initiative to ensure that emergency medical care in Hawkins County is reflective of the community's needs. With a diversified board and an emphasis on exceptional patient care, HCEMS is navigating its evolution with a focus on future leadership in emergency medical services.

Despite the operational changes, both organizations maintain a mutual respect and commitment to serving the community. "HCEMS will be forever grateful to HCRS for decades of care, planning, and oversight," Joyner added, highlighting the historical partnership that has significantly contributed to the growth and success of emergency medical services in Hawkins County.

As HCEMS explores its next steps, the focus remains on enhancing its capabilities and ensuring that it continues to provide vital services to the community, amidst an ever-changing industry landscape. The search for a new headquarters is just one part of a larger journey towards growth and adaptation in the face of change.

Photo bycourtesy of Hawkins County Rescue Squad/facebook

The decline of the volunteer rescue squad movement has seen an uptick in recent years, with agencies being able to purchase much needed vehicles and equipment. The Hawkins County squad took posession of a heavy rescue vehicle a few years ago, yet there was not room in the building to house the vehicle.

Similarly, Hawkins County EMS has seen more than a 100% increase in vehicles and equipment as they absorbed the service area in eastern Hawkins County with the failure of Church Hill EMS. The Hawkins County EMS has needed additional room for offices, vehicles, supplies and equipment for some time. The move could should be mutually beneficial in the long run.