EMS

An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Decades of dispatch: EMS celebrates 50th anniversary in county

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
On a crisp December day, a woman in Oglethorpe County had a sudden realization: her water had broken. Miles from the nearest hospital, paramedic Kristin Gilliam was her only hope. Even with a million “what-ifs” racing through her mind, Gilliam successfully delivered the newborn.
Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services on, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Crawford, Georgia. Oglethorpe County EMS plans to start provding whole blood products for severe trauma patients starting late summer or early fall. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services on, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Crawford, Georgia. Oglethorpe County EMS plans to start provding whole blood products for severe trauma patients starting late summer or early fall. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

EMS pursues grant for whole blood products

Sydney Shankman
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The No. 1 goal for Oglethorpe County EMS is to save lives. The addition of whole blood could save even more.  In fact, receiving whole blood products during pre-hospital treatment could save 37% of patients from severe trauma injuries, which is why EMS plans to start providing it.
Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Meet the Robinsons: Josh, Corie balance family, public service

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Josh and Corie Robinson’s 13-year marriage began in an unlikely place.  “We met at an assisted living facility,” said Corie Robinson, director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center. “I was working (there), and it’s (where) his grandfather lived.
Oglethorpe County EMS director Josh Robinson (left) and Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer send the Teledyne FLIR SIRAS drone up for a flight in Lexington last week. They are the county’s two licensed drone pilots. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County EMS director Josh Robinson (left) and Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer send the Teledyne FLIR SIRAS drone up for a flight in Lexington last week. They are the county’s two licensed drone pilots. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Drone fleet takes to the skies

Katherine Davis
Thursday, October 23, 2025
The full fleet of three drones purchased by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners has arrived and is being put to use. “Drones are becoming a part of everyday life,” Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer said.

Fire, auto accidents keep first responders busy

Alex Perri
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Firefighters and first responders were unusually busy last week, with one house fire and eight car accidents in the county.  No fatalities were recorded in any of the incidents, but three car accidents led to injuries.
First responders pull volunteer students and a bus driver from a flipped school bus during the EMA’s mass casualty exercise on Saturday. The volunteers stood in for injured students and their parents. (Photo/Emma Greene)

First responders pull volunteer students and a bus driver from a flipped school bus during the EMA’s mass casualty exercise on Saturday. The volunteers stood in for injured students and their parents. (Photo/Emma Greene)

Fake accident prepares EMA for the worst

Emma Greene
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
First responders pulled three students in critical condition and a deceased bus driver from a flipped school bus and put them on stretchers to be carried to nearby ambulances.  Three other students were treated for mild injuries as their parents stood near the scene.
Advanced EMT Taylor Eidson stands in front of an Oglethorpe County ambulance. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Advanced EMT Taylor Eidson stands in front of an Oglethorpe County ambulance. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Q&A: Eidson loves to help friends, family

Zeke Palermo
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School began offering a class titled "Emergency Medical Technician" in 2017 that is taught by Jason Lewis.  Like the certified nursing assistant classes offered at the school, it allows students to receive professional training and a basic EMT certification before graduation.
Oglethorpe County Emergency Services' new Quick Response Vehicle (QRV), which is equipped like an ambulance but doesn't transport people, has already proven it's worth, agency leaders say. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County Emergency Services' new Quick Response Vehicle (QRV), which is equipped like an ambulance but doesn't transport people, has already proven it's worth, agency leaders say. (Submitted Photo)

New quick response vehicle meets needs

Julianna Duennes Russ
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Oglethorpe County Emergency Services has been one of the heaviest users of mutual aid resources in the region the past decade. However, the recent purchase of a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) is already changing that need.