Glassy Mountain Fire Department (GMFD) announced it is now providing Advanced Life Support (ALS – Paramedic) EMS services from its headquarters location at 2015 Highway 11, Landrum, S.C.

GMFD joins the South Greenville and Mauldin Fire Departments in providing ALS first response in Greenville County in conjunction with Greenville County Emergency Medical Services.

“With the additional of licensure as a Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) ALS provider, GMFD personnel will be able to provide 40 medications, place advanced airways, and treat life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias,” said Chief Robert Staples, Glassy Mountain Fire Department. “These medications and procedures enhance the level of prehospital care to the residents and visitors of the Glassy Mountain Fire Service Area and beyond. If someone is suffering a heart attack or stroke, minutes make the difference between life and death.”

Glassy Mountain Fire Department’s Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) augments Greenville County EMS’ response system and will serve as an additional resource in the northern part of the county. GMFD employs five full-time paramedics and six part-time and volunteer paramedics, most with many years of experience in delivering prehospital care.

The Glassy Mountain Fire Service Area was established in 1987 to organize a volunteer fire department to provide fire/safety protection and a first response emergency unit within the community.  The Glassy Mountain Fire Service Area covers nearly 52 square miles with a population of approximately 3,000 residents in the area known as The Dark Corner in northern Greenville County which stretches from the east at the Spartanburg County line on Highway 14 to the west of Highway 25 and begins in the south near Highway 414 to the North Carolina state line.

The district operates five fire stations–Glassy Mountain (headquarters), Beaver Dam, Oak Grove, Dividing Water and Cliffs with approximately 50 career and volunteer firefighters and first responders.

– article submitted by Sharyn Arnold