Bedford County Emergency Medical Service

In 1966 the local funeral homes gave notice to county officials they would no longer be able to provide transportation for the sick and injured due to cost and demand. After studying the need for ambulance service in Bedford County, the city and county officials formed the Shelbyville-Bedford Co. Ambulance Authority. The new ambulance service began operating on May 1, 1970 in a mobile home at the

corner of Lane Parkway and Spring Street just across from the Shelbyville Police Department. The first ambulances purchased were “used” 1966 and 1968 Cadillac style ambulances. In 1973 the service purchased it’s first modular style ambulance from Roadsafe Emergency Vehicles of Shelbyville. In 1974 a new building was erected beside the hospital to house the Ambulance Authority. Today we continue operating from this facility, as well as two other substations. The original employees were made up of eight men trained in first aid; 2 were nurses and one service director. The Ambulance Service used the American Red Cross “40-hour” First Aid course as its standard of care prior to the State of Tennessee regulating ambulance services in 1972. In the early years of operation, the ambulance service would hire employees “as drivers” until they could attend an Emergency Medical Technician course. In 1983 the county commission took sole responsibility for the ambulance service and changed the name to Bedford Co. Emergency Medical Services. In 1985 the Department began upgrading its level of care. The early goals were to hire a Paramedic for each shift and to provide Automatic External Defibrillators for the EMT's to use during cardiac arrest calls. In the early 1990's the Department took the next steps to continued progress by achieving an A rated "all ALS" Ambulance Service. In the mid 1990's the goal was to provide First Responder training to volunteers in the outlying areas of the county. In 1999 the Department opened its first substation on the east side of Shelbyville. In 2000, as call volumes continued to grow, it became necessary to increase the number of ambulances being staffed around the clock from 2 units to 3. A 12-hour day crew was also added that year. In 2001 we continued to strengthen our First Responder program in the community and school system. Preparations were also being made for the opening of our third substation located at the state Fire Academy just north of Shelbyville. Our future goals are to continue seeking low cost ways to improve Emergency Medical Services in Bedford County.