Clay County NC Emergency Services

09/05/2026

Hey everyone, really cool class coming up at Tri-County Community College. Hurricane season is just over the horizon.

08/31/2026

🚨 GOOD MORNING FROM CLAY COUNTY EMS! 🚑

As everyone starts their morning, we want to remind our community that school is back in session! 📚🚌

Please slow down and use extra caution on your morning travels. You’ll see children waiting for school buses, buses making frequent stops, and increased traffic and congestion on our main roads.

🚌 Watch for stopped school buses.
👀 Stay alert for children near roadways.
🚗 Give yourself a little extra time and slow down.

Let’s all work together to keep our children, families, and fellow motorists safe!

From all of us at Clay County EMS, have a safe and wonderful morning! ❤️💙

Be safe. Be alert. Get there safely. 🚑

08/20/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Andrew Sutton, a Macon County EMS Paramedic who suffered a medical emergency this morning after completing his shift. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Macon County EMS family during this incredibly difficult time. 💔

08/20/2026

The History of EMS: From Good Samaritans to Modern Emergency Care 🚑

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has a remarkable history rooted in one simple idea: when someone is in need, help should be there.

While communities have provided aid to the sick and injured for centuries, modern EMS began taking shape in the 1960s. At that time, emergency care was often inconsistent, ambulances were primarily used for transportation, and many patients received little or no medical treatment before reaching a hospital.

A major turning point came in 1966, when the National Academy of Sciences published Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society. The report highlighted the need for better emergency medical care and transportation for trauma patients.

From there, EMS began to evolve rapidly. Ambulances became mobile treatment units, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) received specialized training, and communities began developing organized systems for responding to medical emergencies.

Over the decades, EMS has continued to advance—from basic first aid and transportation to sophisticated prehospital medicine, advanced life support, cardiac monitoring, trauma care, and much more.

Today, EMS professionals are often the first medical contact a patient has during one of the most critical moments of their life.

Behind every ambulance, every 911 call, and every emergency response is a long history of people dedicated to one mission:

To provide help when people need it most.

We honor the pioneers who helped build EMS, the professionals who continue to advance it, and every EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, driver, firefighter, and support member who plays a role in saving lives.

🚑 This is EMS. This is our history. This is our mission.

08/16/2026

Motorcycle Awareness

As warmer weather arrives, more motorcycles are taking to our roads—and that means it’s time for all of us to Share the Road. 🏍️

Recently, we have seen an increase in motorcycle collisions involving other vehicles. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, which can make them much harder to see, especially in blind spots, at intersections, and when traffic is busy. NHTSA notes that many motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles occur when the motorcyclist is not seen by the other driver.

Drivers, please remember:
• Look twice for motorcycles before turning or changing lanes.
• Check your blind spots carefully.
• Give motorcycles plenty of following distance.
• Be especially alert at intersections and when making left turns.
• Never assume a motorcycle is farther away or traveling slower than it actually is.
• Put the phone down and stay focused on the road.

Motorcycle riders, please do your part too:
• Wear appropriate protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet.
• Use your headlights and make yourself as visible as possible.
• Follow speed limits and traffic laws.
• Ride sober and alert.
• Leave plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles.

In 2024, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes nationwide, according to NHTSA. Motorcyclists face greater risk because they have far less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles.

From all of us at Clay County EMS: Please slow down, pay attention, look twice, and share the road. One moment of awareness can make the difference between everyone getting home safely and a call that no first responder ever wants to receive.

🏍️ Look Twice. Save a Life. Share the Road.

08/12/2026

08/07/2026

HELP US HELP YOU IN AN EMERGENCY! 🚑

Did you know that during an emergency, it can sometimes be difficult for first responders to obtain important medical information?

If you are unconscious, confused, seriously injured, or otherwise unable to communicate, EMS may not know your medical history, medications, allergies, or who to contact.

📱 Take a few minutes today to set up the Medical ID/Emergency Information on your phone.

Many smartphones allow emergency responders to access this information from the lock screen, even when your phone is protected by a passcode.

🩺 INFORMATION TO CONSIDER INCLUDING:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Medical conditions/history — diabetes, heart disease, seizures, etc.
• Current medications
• Medication and other serious allergies
• Blood type, if known
• Emergency contacts/family members
• Primary care physician, if desired
• Implanted medical devices — pacemaker, ICD, insulin pump, etc.
• Special medical considerations
• Advance directive/DNR information, when applicable
• Any other information you feel would be important for emergency responders to know

📞 Make sure your emergency contacts are current. Consider including someone who knows your medical history and can provide information if you cannot.

🔄 Remember to update your Medical ID whenever something changes—especially after starting or stopping medications, receiving a new diagnosis, developing an allergy, or changing emergency contacts.

⚠️ One important reminder: Medical ID information should supplement—not replace—your medical records or conversations with your healthcare provider.

And don't forget about your children and elderly family members. Take a few minutes to help them set up their emergency information as well.

⏱️ In an emergency, every second matters.

Taking a few minutes today to enter this information could help EMS, firefighters, law enforcement, and hospital staff provide faster and more informed care when you need it most.

Take a few minutes. Set it up. Keep it updated. It could make a difference when you need help the most.

🚑 From all of us at Clay County Emergency Services: Help us help you!

08/04/2026

🚑 Clay County EMS Public Safety Announcement 🏈☀️

With football season quickly approaching, Clay County EMS would like to remind athletes, parents, coaches, and spectators about the dangers of heat-related illnesses. As preseason practices begin, high temperatures and humidity can significantly increase the risk of heat emergencies.

Know the warning signs of heat-related illness:
• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Dizziness or weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hot, red skin
• Confusion or altered mental status

If these symptoms are recognized early, prompt action can prevent a more serious medical emergency.

To help prevent heat-related illness:
💧 Begin hydrating well before practice or games.
💧 Continue drinking water throughout all activities.
💧 Rehydrate after practice is over.
🌳 Take frequent breaks in shaded or cool areas.
👕 Wear lightweight, breathable clothing whenever possible.
🚫 Avoid excessive caffeine and energy drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If an athlete becomes confused, loses consciousness, has hot skin, or stops sweating, call 911 immediately. While waiting for EMS, move the individual to a cool location and begin cooling measures if it is safe to do so.

The safety of our student-athletes is a team effort. Parents, coaches, athletic trainers, and players all play an important role in recognizing the signs of heat illness and taking action early.

Clay County EMS wishes all of our local teams a safe, healthy, and successful football season. Stay hydrated, stay aware, and have a great season!

Clay County EMS
Paying forward, and giving back

07/30/2026

In light of the recent storm that came through, we want to make sure everyone is aware of a messaging system offered by Clay County that can provide advance warnings for potential natural disasters.

Nixle / Everbridge is a communication program that sends direct messages to your phone so you can be prepared—for example, tornado warnings or flash flood alerts.

How to sign up
You have two easy options:

Online: Visit the Everbridge / Nixle website and sign up using your zip code.
Text message: Text your zip code to 888777, then follow the prompts to enter your information.
Clay County Emergency Services strongly encourages everyone to sign up so you’re as prepared as possible in case of an emergency.

We hope everyone is safe after this past week’s storm. Have a wonderful weekend.🚑💙

07/27/2026

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new EMS Director for Clay County EMS, David Crisp!

As one legend steps into a new chapter, another legendary leader takes the helm.

For many years, Jeff "Silver Fox" Ledford has led Clay County EMS with dedication, integrity, and a passion for serving our community. Under his leadership, our agency has continued to grow while providing exceptional care to those we serve. Although Jeff is stepping down as Director, he isn't going anywhere!

Jeff will now serve as the coordinator of our new Immersion Room—a state-of-the-art, 360-degree simulation training center that will provide realistic, hands-on training for future EMS students, current EMS providers, and emergency management agencies throughout the tri-state area. This incredible resource will help prepare responders for real-world emergencies and continue raising the standard of prehospital care. Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership and for continuing your passion for educating the next generation of EMS professionals.

Now, we're excited to welcome David Crisp as our new EMS Director! David brings decades of EMS knowledge, leadership, and experience to Clay County EMS. We are confident that his vision and dedication will continue to move our agency forward and help develop some of the finest clinicians in the region.

Please join us in thanking Jeff Ledford for his outstanding leadership and wishing David Crisp the very best as he begins this new chapter.

Congratulations, Director David Crisp, and welcome to your new role! We look forward to the future of Clay County EMS under your leadership. 🚑💙