During its meeting on March 28, 2025, the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club had the pleasure of hosting Rotarian Kane Watkins, who represents the Lawrence County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Watkins shared valuable insights regarding the operations, challenges, and community engagement efforts of the EMS in Lawrence County. In the previous year, 2024, the EMS responded to an impressive total of 6,956 calls, which resulted in around 4,000 patient transports. As of now in 2025, the service has already recorded 1,131 transports.
Watkins noted that the average response time for emergency calls stands at 9 minutes and 25 seconds, while the average duration of each call is approximately 40 minutes. Notably, response times within the city are significantly quicker, averaging just 4 minutes and 50 seconds. He pointed out the increasing demand for EMS services, which is further complicated by a nationwide shortage of emergency medical personnel. The primary focus of Lawrence County EMS is to respond to 911 emergency calls and facilitate interfacility transports. To adequately serve the community, the county operates five EMS units that are staffed on a daily basis.
The financial aspects of running EMS operations are considerable. For instance, acquiring a new EMS unit costs around $240,000, and the procurement process can take between 12 to 18 months. When fully equipped, the total expenditure for an ambulance can reach $402,650. Despite these financial hurdles, the county ensures that its fleet is maintained for a serviceable lifespan of seven to eight years. Funding for these operations largely comes from insurance reimbursements and subsidies provided by the county government.
Watkins also shed light on the crucial role played by Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), many of whom are affiliated with local fire departments and even serve at David Crockett State Park. These responders are essential in delivering critical care prior to the arrival of EMS personnel. Community involvement in emergency preparedness is a key focus for the EMS, and Watkins urged residents to engage in lifesaving training programs such as CPR/AED courses, Stop the Bleed initiatives, and First Aid training.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that homes are easily identifiable for first responders, recommending that residents keep house numbers visible and porch lights functional. Additionally, Watkins advised that maintaining accessible medical information, either on the refrigerator at home or in vehicles, can greatly assist EMS personnel during emergencies. Lawrence County EMS typically responds to about 35-40 calls per shift, ensuring that high-quality emergency care is consistently available to the community.
The Rotary Club