Local EMTs recognized for 20 years of service

Bluffton, SC (September 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. EDT) – Derek Franks and Jayme Beach, Battalion Chiefs with Bluffton Township Fire District, were recently recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) for achieving 20 consecutive years of National Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Certification. This distinction is an honor held by few EMS professionals.

To maintain their status as Nationally Registered EMTs, Franks and Beach completed, on a biennial basis, the most comprehensive recertification program for EMS professionals in the country.

By maintaining their National EMS Certification and completing regular continuing education courses, the two have demonstrated their commitment to providing exceptional pre-hospital emergency medical care.

Franks and Beach were Nationally Registered as EMTs in 2003 and have been serving the Bluffton community since August 1999, and May 2000, respectively. Both Battalion Chiefs began their careers as firefighters and worked their way through the ranks to serve in their current roles. Franks serves as the Shift 2 Battalion Chief out of Station 35 (Headquarters) and Beach serves as the Shift 1 Battalion Chief out of Station 38 (Hampton Parkway).

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the National EMS Certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status. To learn more about the organization, please visit their website at www.nremt.org.