Yancey County EMS-Heritage

08/26/2026

A big thank you to MAMA - Mountain Area Medical Airlift for coming out and spending time with our crews for some hands-on surgical airway training!

A surgical airway is one of those high-risk, low-frequency procedures that we hope our crews never have to perform—but when it’s needed, it can truly be the difference between life and death. In situations where a patient’s airway is completely blocked or severely damaged and traditional methods of securing an airway aren’t possible, our paramedics may have to create an emergency airway through the neck to get oxygen to the patient.

There’s no time to learn or second-guess the procedure when that moment comes, which is why realistic, hands-on training like this is so important.

A special thank you to MAMA Medical Director Dr. Beeghly and FP-C John Carrico for sharing your time, knowledge, and experience with our crews. We’re grateful for MAMA Air Medical’s continued partnership and their investment in our crews and our community. Every opportunity to train together makes all of us better prepared when our patients need us most. 🚁🚑

08/24/2026

🩸Three Units. Three Patients🩸

On July 6, Yancey County EMS placed whole blood into service for the first time. In the weeks since, our crews have already administered 3 units of whole blood — one to a trauma patient and two to critically ill medical patients.

Each of those units represents exactly why we worked so hard to bring this resource to our county: giving our crews the ability to begin lifesaving treatment before a patient ever reaches the hospital.

One of our recent medical patients is a great example of how several of our newest tools are coming together to make a difference.

While caring for the patient, our crew administered whole blood and utilized one of our newly deployed prehospital ultrasound devices to perform a FAST exam. The exam was positive, and our crew was able to communicate those findings to the receiving hospital before arrival.

The receiving physician later shared that having those ultrasound findings ahead of time saved valuable time and helped get the patient to the operating room much faster.

That is exactly what advancing rural EMS is about.

When our patients may be a significant distance from definitive hospital care, we can't shorten the miles — but we can bring more advanced care to the patient. Whole blood, prehospital ultrasound, expanded medications, and continued training give our paramedics more tools to recognize critical problems and begin treatment sooner.

We are incredibly proud of our crews for embracing these advancements, putting in the training, and using these tools when they matter most.

Three units in less than two months — and three reminders of why bringing whole blood to Yancey County was worth every bit of work it took to get here.🩸🚑

08/19/2026

‼️September 19th‼️

08/10/2026

We’re proud to recognize members of our team who recently completed EMS Officer I!

👏 Paramedic P. Gorman
👏 Paramedic FTO R. Libby
👏 Paramedic J. Edwards
👏 Paramedic E. Kelley
👏 Paramedic C. Buchanan
👏 Paramedic B. Moore
👏 Paramedic J. Hensley

Strong EMS agencies aren’t built on clinical skills alone—they’re built on good leadership, teamwork, communication, and people who are willing to step up and help those around them succeed.

Taking the time to complete EMS Officer I is an investment not only in their own professional growth, but in our entire department. The knowledge and leadership skills they bring back help strengthen our crews, support their coworkers, and continue moving our agency forward.

We’re proud of their commitment to becoming better leaders and even stronger members of our team. Congratulations on a job well done! 🚑👏

This weekend, leaders from Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Catawba, Haywood, Lincoln, Mitchell, Yancey, and Cherokee Tribal EMS successfully completed the EMS Officer I course at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, A-B Tech. Congratulations!

07/29/2026

We had a great day today with our friends from MAMA - Mountain Area Medical Airlift

A huge thank you for taking the time to come out and spend the morning with our crews doing ventilator training. We don't get to manage patients on vents every day, so having the opportunity to get hands-on practice, ask questions, and learn from providers who do it regularly is incredibly valuable.

We're lucky to have partners who are always willing to share their knowledge and help us continue growing as a service. Days like today make us better prepared for the next critically ill patient who needs us.

07/15/2026

A huge thank you to FP-C, CCEMT-P Nate McCoy with MedCenter Air for spending time with our crews today, building on the prehospital ultrasound training we've been working so hard to implement. Hands-on practice and learning from experienced clinicians like Nate helps our providers continue to grow their skills and confidence in the field.

We also want to recognize and thank Dr. Reister from Mission Hospital, who kicked off our initial ultrasound training last month and helped lay the foundation for this program. Having the opportunity to learn from both Dr. Reister and Nate has been invaluable as we continue bringing advanced, evidence-based care to the residents and visitors of Yancey County.

We're grateful for partners who are willing to invest their time and expertise in our crews. Every training makes us a little better prepared for the next patient.

07/11/2026

‼️Just 4 days after placing whole blood in service, Yancey County EMS administered our very first unit in the field 🩸

Last night, our crews responded to a patient with a traumatic injury in one of the rural areas of Yancey County. From the scene, it was a 50 minute transport to the nearest trauma center. In situations like this, every minute matters, and waiting until arrival at the hospital simply isn't an option.

Because of this program, Paramedic D. Davis, P. Gorman, AEMT L. Higgins (not pictured) and Paramedic Supervisor A. McCourry were able to begin a whole blood transfusion before reaching the trauma center. During the transfusion, the crew saw a marked improvement in the patient's vital signs—exactly why we've spent the last year and a half working to bring this capability to our community.

This call is a perfect example of why advanced prehospital care is so important in rural EMS. When definitive care is nearly an hour away, bringing that next level of treatment directly to the patient can make all the difference.

We're incredibly proud of our crews for their training, professionalism, and outstanding patient care. We'd also like to extend our sincere thanks to AdventHealth for believing in this vision and partnering with us to make it a reality. Because of this partnership, the people of Yancey County now have access to a level of prehospital care that simply wasn't available here before. We are keeping our patient in our thoughts and prayers and are hopeful for a speedy recovery ❤️.

This is only the beginning, and we're excited about what this means for our community and our neighboring counties. 💪🏼🚑

07/09/2026

We are excited about this partnership to provide the best care possible to our community!

Yancey County Sheriff's Office and Yancey County EMS-Heritage Launch Free Special Needs Decal Program

The Yancey County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with Yancey County EMS-Heritage, is now offering FREE Occupant with Special Needs Decals to Yancey County residents.
The decals provide a visual alert to law enforcement, EMS, and other first responders that an individual may have special needs and could benefit from additional patience, communication support, or understanding during traffic stops, medical emergencies, accidents, or other emergency situations. Decals may be displayed on vehicles or residences.
"In an emergency, the little things can make a big difference. This decal gives our crews important information before we ever make contact, helping us provide calmer, safer, and more personalized care when it matters most," says EMS Director Kristy Bryant.

Special Needs Decals are available free of charge to Yancey County residents through the Yancey County Sheriff's Office and Yancey County EMS-Heritage.
"We're committed to ensuring every member of our community receives the best possible care and service," said Sheriff Shane Hilliard. "This program helps our first responders recognize when someone may need a different approach, making interactions safer and more effective for everyone."
To request a decal, go to the Sheriff's Office App. Under the 'More' tab, click 'Respond With Care'. There is a link to request a decal, or call the Sheriff's Office at (828) 682-2124.

07/08/2026

Some babies just like to make an entrance... and this sweet little girl definitely had plans of her own! 💖👶

On July 3rd, a family was traveling through Yancey County trying to make it to Mission Hospital when their newest little firecracker decided she wasn't waiting another minute. Before they could make it to the hospital, our crews found themselves turning the back of an ambulance into a delivery room and welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world.

While these calls don't happen every day, they're exactly why our crews spend countless hours training. Delivering a baby outside of a hospital takes teamwork, quick thinking, and the ability to stay calm when plans change in an instant. It's one of those calls that reminds us just how important training is—you never know what the next 911 call will bring.

A huge shoutout to Paramedic P. Hobson and J. Edwards for staying calm under pressure and using their training to help safely bring this little one into the world. Their professionalism, compassion, and teamwork made all the difference for this family on a day they'll never forget. We were honored to play a small part in such an unforgettable day for their family.

Welcome to the world, little one! We think Yancey County gave you one pretty memorable birthday. 🇺🇸🎆❤️