After a recent discussion at a Greenwood County Commission meeting regarding Greenwood County EMS transfers, Ambulance Director Brian Mongeau reached out to the state to begin working on a variance to allow Greenwood County to begin using drivers who hold Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
However, during the call, Mongeau learned that the long process of getting a variance was not required as State Statute 65-6135 was revised to include a third subsection. The additional section allows for an approved CPR-certified volunteer to drive ambulances for transfers, regardless of patient’s condition.
Initially, Mongeau opted not to pursue the variance as it would only allow for CPR certification holders to transport if the patient’s condition was not life-threatening and was not reasonably expected for the condition to degrade during transport. With all transports from Greenwood County being emergent, the variance, if acquired, wouldn’t have solved the issue with staffing for transfers.
After learning of the amendment to the statute, Mongeau noted that he had five volunteers with the needed CPR certification agree to assist with transfer needs.
