Gilmer County Fire Rescue

Gilmer County Fire Rescue Launches Med Com: A New Paramedic Quick-Response Unit.

Gilmer County Fire Rescue is proud to announce the launch of Med Com, our new Paramedic Response Unit / Quick Response Vehicle, which will go into service this week.

This marks a major step forward for emergency medical care in Gilmer County.

Med Com is staffed by a paramedic and carries the same advanced life support equipment and medications as our ambulances, including cardiac monitoring, airway equipment, emergency medications, and advanced treatment capabilities.

The difference is that Med Com is a smaller, non-transport response vehicle designed to move quickly toward serious medical emergencies, begin advanced care, and support the ambulance crew responding to the call.

Just as important, this program is being launched using existing Gilmer County Fire Rescue equipment and resources, at no additional cost to taxpayers. This is an example of using what we already have more effectively to improve service to the community.
Gilmer County is unique. We have long roads, mountainous terrain, rural communities, weather-related challenges, traffic issues, and calls that may occur far from the closest available ambulance. We do not have a hospital on every corner, and every minute can matter when someone is critically ill or injured.

That is why we are building an EMS system around the real needs of our county.

This unit does not replace our ambulances.
It strengthens them.

Our EMTs and Advanced EMTs continue to provide excellent care and transport patients to the hospital. Med Com provides them with additional paramedic-level support when advanced care is most needed.

Med Com is also part of our commitment to building a stronger, higher-value EMS system for Gilmer County, one that focuses on delivering the right level of care to the right patient while keeping our resources ready for the next emergency.

This is not just a new vehicle. This is a smarter way to deliver EMS care in a rural county.

Gilmer County Fire Rescue continues to invest in training, equipment, medical direction, innovation, and people. Programs such as Med Com demonstrate our commitment to providing the citizens and visitors of Gilmer County with a fire and EMS system they can be proud of.

We are excited to place Med Com in service this week as we continue building one of the most capable and forward-thinking fire/EMS systems in Georgia.

Right care. Right patient. Right time.

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Gilmer County Fire/Rescue personnel recently attended and obtained their instructor certification in V.E.S.T. (Violent Encounter Survival Training). This is an extremely important class. Fire and EMS personnel face a higher risk of encountering violence than any other profession, yet there has traditionally been little formal training focused on verbal de-escalation or safely removing oneself from a dangerous situation. This program helps fill that critical gap. Gilmer County Fire/Rescue will be the first department in Georgia to offer this training to its personnel. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our members, and this class provides both classroom instruction and hands-on training to better prepare them for real-world encounters. While our primary goal is always to verbally de-escalate situations, this training also equips our personnel with the skills and confidence needed to recognize danger early and safely escape when necessary. A big thank you to Jake Hecht, founder of V.E.S.T., for developing this much-needed program, and to Steve Sulze, owner of Xtreme Krav Maga & Fitness, for hosting this training.

⚠️ Use Caution on County Back Roads ⚠️

Gilmer County Fire Rescue is responding to multiple reports of trees down across several areas of the county. Many roadways, particularly secondary and back roads, are partially blocked or affected by fallen trees and debris.

Our firefighters are working diligently to clear hazards where possible, while other locations are awaiting assistance from the road department. Please be patient as crews work through these incidents and prioritize public safety.

🌲 Slow down, especially on curves and wooded roadways.
🌲 Watch for emergency vehicles and personnel working near the roadway.
🌲 Be prepared for unexpected road closures or delays.
🌲 Never attempt to drive around barricades or through blocked areas.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as our crews and road department personnel work to make our roadways safe. Stay alert, stay safe, and give responders plenty of room to work.

Gilmer County Fire/Rescue offers our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and members of the Rockdale County Fire Department on the loss of one of their own today. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. May we all keep them in our prayers.

Gilmer County Fire/Rescue will be hosting an Airway & ACLS Skills Lab for EMS providers who would like additional hands-on practice with airway equipment, video laryngoscopy, and ACLS-related skills.

This is not an 8-hour class. The lab will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and providers are welcome to stop by during that time, look at the equipment, ask questions, and practice with the devices.

Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: 325 Howard Simmons Road, Ellijay, GA 30540
Cost: Free to attend
Sponsored by: Bound Tree Medical

We will be reviewing various video laryngoscopes, airway devices, and updated airway techniques in a practical, hands-on setting. This is a good opportunity for EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, students, and agency providers who want more time with the equipment before they need it in the field.

EMS is a skill-based profession, and airway management is one of those areas where practice matters. Come by, spend some time with the equipment, and sharpen the skills we rely on when patients need us most.

Please share with any EMS providers or agencies that may be interested.