Bamberg County EMS Contract with Thorne Ambulance Service to Remain Intact

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To: News Media

From: Bamberg County Administration

Date: March 8, 2024

Re: Bamberg County EMS Contract with Thorne Ambulance Service to Remain Intact

Bamberg, South Carolina (March 2024) – During Thursday night’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Committee meeting, Bamberg County and Thorne Ambulance Service solidified their mutual commitment to honor the terms of their contract.

Last summer, Bamberg County entered a five-year contract with Thorne Ambulance Service and has developed a strong working relationship with the emergency medical provider. Bamberg and Barnwell Counties originally entered a regional agreement with Thorne; however, Barnwell has failed to meet the terms of that agreement. As a result, Thorne will terminate its contract with Barnwell County, effective May 31, 2024.

Despite this unexpected change to the original regional partnership with Barnwell County, Bamberg County, and Thorne Ambulance Service, Bamberg and Thorne will continue to honor their contracted agreement. Thorne’s CEO Ryan Thorne said, “After unsuccessful attempts to reach a resolution of differences,” Thorne will cease providing emergency services to Barnwell County on May 31, 2024. Mr. Thorne elaborated; “Current Thorne Ambulance Service employees will be offered employment in nearby markets…and we hope to retain our top performers to work in Bamberg. We do not anticipate any changes in the number or quality of resources in Bamberg County and intend to do business as usual.”

District One County Councilman Phil Myers emphasized the need for both Bamberg County and Thorne to honor the terms of their contract to ensure “Bamberg citizens get the best possible trained EMS personnel and service.” Furthermore, District Four County Councilman Spencer Donaldson iterated the importance of maintaining a “strong working relationship with Thorne because that is what is in the best interests of our constituents.”

“Our citizens deserve state of the art EMS service and equipment, and we will continue to partner with Thorne Ambulance Service toward that endeavor,” said County Council Chairman Evert Comer, Jr.

County Administrator Joey Preston said, “Our primary goal is to ensure Thorne and Bamberg County work together to honor the terms of our contract so Bamberg citizens will benefit from a much improved EMS service. We also hope to add a third ambulance in the near future.”

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.