With the help of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, a ribbon cutting was held on March 28, 2019, for Sumter County Emergency Medical Service’s newest station on Frierson Road.
County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. welcomed everyone to the event and recognized fellow council members Vivian Fleming-McGhaney, Eugene Baten, Vice Chairman Jimmy Byrd, Artie Baker and Chris Sumpter.
“This is great for this community,” McCain said, “and great for our EMS staff as well.”
Councilwoman Fleming-McGhaney offered an invocation, followed by Councilman Baten, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilman Baker said the community he represents truly appreciates the new station. In the past, the site utilized a trailer to house EMS and Baker also recalled the days when EMS was run by Tuomey Hospital.
Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon thanked the Chamber staff and ambassadors and also thanked City Manager Deron McCormick for being present, along with Sumter Fire Department Chief Karl Ford.
“This is Team Sumter, Team Sumter County, and everyone participates on some level,” he said. “And we appreciate that always. I’m certainly proud of all of you.”
EMS Director Bobby Hingst vocalized the need for a new station, Mixon said, which helped foster cooperation with Sumter County Council. Coordination is the next step, and involved Purchasing Director Bobby Galloway, Facilities Manager Dennis Powell, and Finance Director Jamie Michaelson. Mixon also thanked Clerk to Council Mary Blanding for her work in organizing the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mixon thanked Palance Design Service and Hardee Construction.
“It’s great to have a local team working on projects like this,” he said.
Chief Hingst told the crowd it was “a momentous occasion for EMS. For the county, and for this community.”
He thanked County Council and Administration for their support of the project, and for recognizing the need.
“To my staff: I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do every single day,” he said. “You work very hard, you work long hours, you work in some of the roughest conditions there are. You do it every day with dignity, integrity, with courage, with bravery, and you do it well.”
Hingst also thanked Powell and Galloway for their help in seeing the project through to completion.
“This definitely signifies to our community that we’re here and we’re here to stay,” Hingst said. “We’re here to provide you with service and we want that service to be the best service it is.”
He also thanked Chief Ford for providing a place to stay while the construction was taking place.
“We have a good partnership,” with the Sumter Fire Department, he said. “We work together very well.”