Rowan County's Emergency Medical Service (EMS) division is a countywide paramedic level EMS organization, founded in 1984, and operates from six station locations in various geographic regions within the county. It is partially funded by general tax revenues and partially by fees charged to users. The service is licensed by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and employs some fifty full time (50) and approximately 45 part time paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
The Advanced Life Support (ALS) program functions under the medical direction of Dr's. Ronnie Barrier, Bertrand Fote' and in cooperation with Rowan Regional Medical Center. The division utilizes a standardized application of treatment guidelines & protocols approved by the State of North Carolina for proper care and treatment of patients.
Rowan County is served by two air medical helicopters from regional Level I trauma centers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem and Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.