TROY, N.C. - FirstHealth Montgomery EMS is celebrating 30 years of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Montgomery County, marking three decades of lifesaving care, emergency response and unwavering commitment to the community.
Since its founding in 1996, the service has grown alongside the county, responding to thousands of emergency calls while advancing clinical excellence, embracing new technologies and building a legacy of compassion, professionalism and trust.
Over the past three decades, FirstHealth Montgomery EMS ambulances have traveled more than 7 million miles in service to the community. However, perhaps even more meaningful is the longevity of the people behind those miles.
A Team Deeply Connected to Montgomery County
Many members of the Montgomery EMS team grew up in the county and have deep ties to emergency services, including family members who served with local volunteer rescue squads or EMS. Several employees have spent 20 years or more serving Montgomery County, creating a close-knit culture that has endured even as emergency medical services have changed dramatically.
Barry Britt, administrative director of FirstHealth EMS, said the milestone is a testament to the dedication of paramedics, EMTs, support staff and community partners.
“Thirty years of service represents countless calls answered, miles traveled and lives touched,” Britt said. “What makes Montgomery EMS special is the people. There is a tremendous amount of experience on this team, but there is also a deep connection to the community. Our employees take great pride in caring for their neighbors, friends and families.”
Three Decades of Change in Emergency Medical Services
Andrew Sanders, EMS supervisor, was part of the original Montgomery EMS team when FirstHealth began operating the service in 1996 and continues to serve with FirstHealth today. He remembers the excitement surrounding those early days.
“We were getting new equipment, uniforms and trucks while expanding our coverage,” he recalled. “Everything was new, and we felt like we were part of something unique. There weren't many hospital-based EMS services then.”
Sanders has had a front-row seat to three decades of change in emergency medical services. Call volumes have increased significantly, while ambulances, medical equipment and technology have continued to evolve.
“Another important investment is our fleet maintenance division, which is based in Montgomery County,” Sanders said. “That service is a blessing and specializes in keeping emergency vehicles safely on the road.”
Through all the changes, Sanders said one thing has remained constant.
“When I look at our EMS service today, I’m most proud that we have never lost focus on taking care of our patients,” he said. “We have a wonderful group of providers here at Montgomery. I got into EMS to take care of people, and that is what has kept me here.”
A Tradition of Clinical Excellence
Montgomery EMS employees have also represented FirstHealth and North Carolina on state, national and international stages.
In 2007, six Montgomery EMS employees competed in North Carolina State EMS Finals, an unusual distinction for a single department. Current employees Dan Barringer and Rachael Hudson were among the Montgomery team members who competed that year.
The following year, a FirstHealth Montgomery paramedic team earned second place in the JEMS Games, an international EMS competition held in the United States. In 2008, the team also represented North Carolina in an International Trauma Life Support competition in Guanajuato, Mexico, where they took first place.
The accomplishments reflect a culture of clinical excellence that continues within the department today.
EMS Services at FirstHealth
With 57 ambulances and 250 employees, the FirstHealth Regional EMS System is one of the largest ambulance systems in North Carolina, covering more than 3,000 square miles. FirstHealth of the Carolinas currently operates the 911 systems in the following North Carolina counties: Lee, Chatham, Montgomery and Richmond.
