MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Berkeley County EMS has earned two major recognitions for its emergency medical response efforts, including the highest level of cardiac care recognition from the American Heart Association and special honors for pediatric trauma care from MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
The awards were presented during the June 8 Berkeley County Council meeting, highlighting the agency’s role in delivering critical, often lifesaving care to residents across the county.
For the seventh consecutive year, Berkeley County EMS received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold Plus Award, the highest distinction awarded through the organization’s EMS Recognition Program. The agency has earned the honor annually since 2019.
The recognition reflects Berkeley County EMS’s adherence to rigorous national standards designed to improve survival rates for patients suffering heart attacks and strokes. The Mission: Lifeline program evaluates EMS agencies on key performance measures, including rapid stroke screenings, 12-lead electrocardiogram interpretation, early hospital notification and minimizing time spent on scene before transporting patients to definitive care.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 250,000 Americans experience ST-elevation myocardial infarctions, or STEMIs, each year. The condition is considered the deadliest form of heart attack and requires immediate treatment to restore blood flow to the heart.
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County officials said the award demonstrates Berkeley County EMS’s commitment to ensuring patients receive evidence-based care from the moment emergency crews arrive through hospital handoff.
In addition to the cardiac care recognition, Berkeley County EMS was also honored by MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital for exceptional pediatric trauma care.
The recognition stems from several emergency incidents involving critically injured children, including a near-drowning and an ATV crash. During those emergencies, EMS personnel and other first responders provided lifesaving interventions before patients were transported for advanced treatment.
MUSC first recognized the responders during a challenge coin ceremony held last month at the Charleston-based children’s hospital.
“Our agency is honored to receive these two prestigious recognitions, which highlight the exceptional care provided by Berkeley County EMS,” EMS Chief Michael Shirey said in a statement. “Every patient we encounter is valuable and deserves the utmost life-saving care. I’m incredibly proud of our EMTs and paramedics for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to continuing to serve our community with ‘Excellence Through Care.'”
The dual recognitions come as Berkeley County EMS continues to serve one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing counties, where emergency crews respond to thousands of medical calls each year.
County leaders praised the department’s consistent performance, noting that both awards recognize not only clinical excellence but also the coordination required between dispatchers, paramedics, hospitals and trauma specialists when seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
