Hope Health Upcoming Student-Based Clinic Partnered with Clarendon District 2

On November 19, the 2020 Outstanding Community Health Project, also considered the Initiative Award, was given to the Clarendon County Fire Rescue Paramedic Program. Clarendon County Fire / Rescue is a recently merged department serving the citizens in the beautiful county of Clarendon, SC. There were many reasons why the Clarendon County Fire Rescue Paramedic Program deserves this award. Like other departments, the Clarendon County rescue program has paramedics who are also firefighters that respond with the fire engine to medical calls and provide service until the ambulance arrives. The EMS is receiving roughly 6,000 calls per year.

"It felt great to receive the award. Our community paramedic program has been vital in this county. The best thing is our county council and government have supported it, and our community needs it. It great to see that we are making a difference in the people of Clarendon County's lives. We just want to keep serving, and that's what we here to do for the community, and that's what it all about," stated Chief of the Fire and Rescue Department Michael A. Johnson. The award is mostly present to the community health project or initiative for an educational program or direct service that has positively impacted a community's health services. The Clarendon Community Paramedic Program is dedicated to providing an innovative model and doing whatever it takes to continue its community program.

Sarah M. Craig joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2015 and currently serves as the Health System Innovation team director. "We were very excited and thrilled to give this award out because Clarendon County Fire Rescue Paramedic Program has done an outstanding job leading this initiative and building on what we have done at the state level. They really kind of making it their own and meeting the community needs during Covid-19," stated Director of Health System Innovation Sarah Craig. If you or somebody you know may be interested in joining or helping the Clarendon County Fire Rescue Paramedic Program. Visit their website at https://www.scvolunteerfire.org.