Prior to 2006, the Green Creek Volunteer Fire Department did not provide medical response or ambulance service to its citizens. Medical responses were provided by the Polk County First Responders, a division of Polk County EMS. Previously, any Green Creek fire members who wanted to respond to medical calls had to join that organization. Green Creek fire has had first responders who have been members of that program since it began in the late 1980s. Medical emergencies are not a new thing to Green Creek firefighters.

William Henry Page was a first responder for 25 years in the community, many times the only one in Green Creek. As times have changed and the calls seem to come more often, the fire department, under the leadership of former chief Tarrance Randolph, decided in 2006 to form a first responder program and run as medical responders.

In 2008 it was decided there was a need to acquire an ambulance to better serve the citizens of Green Creek. There were several members who went door to door and donated their own money to make this happen.

The Green Creek Fire Department purchased a used ambulance from the Landrum Rescue Squad for $10,500 in 2008 as its first ambulance.

Green Creek has been to areas of Columbus, Tryon and Mill Spring to transport patients when Polk EMS and Polk County Rescue Squad were busy. Just in the month of November 2014, Green Creek had to transport a patient to meet a paramedic in Spartanburg County who was having a stroke because EMS and rescue were busy on other calls.

The first ambulance was a 1992 Ford. As time has gone by, age has affected this vehicle. There have been continuing issues with breakdowns and mechanical failure. It was to the point where the department was afraid to take it on a call for fear it would not return.

After exploring options, the Green Creek Fire Board of Directors and Fire Chief Michael Herman decided the best option would be to purchase a used ambulance with low miles and sell the current ambulance to recoup some of the money.

Remounting the old ambulance box on a new chassis, at a cost of nearly $100,000, was not practical considering the department’s limited funds.

The department found a 1999 Ford ambulance with 79,000 miles for sale by Amissville Fire & Rescue in Virginia. They were asking $14,000, with the unit being well maintained.

Green Creek Fire was able to purchase the ambulance for $11,500. The ambulance is equipped with automatic drop chains to help respond in adverse weather. The purchase of the used ambulance will help the Green Creek Fire Department better serve Green Creek and Polk County while saving money.

–      Submitted by Jeremy Gregg