BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Matt Lindewirth announced his resignation on June 4, 2018. Lindewirth has served as the Chief of Berkeley County EMS since October 2016. His last day with the County will be June 30, 2018.
Under Chief Lindewirth’s leadership, Berkeley County EMS has accomplished the following.
• Improved EMS response times: May 2017 compared to May 2018 showed 30% decrease in response times despite 10% increase in call volume.
• Modernization and increase to EMS equipment and vehicle fleet: In less than two years, Chief Lindewirth has replaced nearly one-third of the EMS vehicle fleet; Added a total of seven new ambulances this year, three additional have been presented in 2018-2019 recommended budget.
• Increased staff- EMS first-responders: Added four staffed ambulances (one 24-hour, three peak 12-hour); Added three battalion chiefs total (one per shift)
• Improved employee retention; Vacancy rate for fulltime EMS employees when Chief Lindewirth started in 2016 was 46%. In June 2018, it is 1%.
• Updated Berkeley County EMS policies and procedures
• Improved and strengthened training
• Recently received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Recognition Award.
Daniel Barb, the Director of Emergency Services, will fulfill Chief of EMS duties after June 30, until the position has been filled.
“I thank Chief Matt Lindewirth for his incredible work and valued service to the citizens of Berkeley County. He has done a remarkable job in Berkeley County and completely overhauled the County Emergency Medical Services. He has strengthened the County’s EMS policies, procedures, equipment and staffing. Chief Lindewirth has a heart for public safety and his devotion to his team is unmatched. We will miss his energy and leadership, and know he will thrive at his next job.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler
“For the past 21 months, I have been proud to be a part of an organization that has such compassionate patient care providers. The entire team has worked so hard to place the patient first, put the right resources in the proper locations to decrease our response times, and provide state-of-the-art equipment to allow the Paramedics and EMT’s of Berkeley County do what they do best, save lives. It saddens me to leave, but the opportunity I was presented was one I could not turn down for both professional and personal reasons. I look forward to following the careers of these great people from afar.” -Matthew Lindewirth, MSEMS, NRP, Chief of Berkeley County EMS.
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