WHITEVILLE — Columbus County commissioners have formally approved a request from the Town of Lake Waccamaw to subcontract its EMS services to Whiteville Rescue, clearing the way for a full transition of emergency medical response in the lakeside community.
The decision came during the board’s April 6 meeting, where the agenda listed the item as a request from Mayor Greg Jacobs for authorization to move EMS coverage from the town’s department to Whiteville Rescue. County approval is required because EMS districts are assigned and regulated at the county level.
The vote marks a significant shift for Lake Waccamaw, which has struggled for months with staffing, financial strain, and operational instability within its EMS department. Earlier this year, the town halted non‑emergency medical transport following a closed‑session discussion described as a “contractual issue.” Town officials later acknowledged that discontinuing EMS operations entirely was under consideration.
With Monday’s approval, Whiteville Rescue will assume responsibility for EMS response within the Lake Waccamaw district. Dispatch protocols and district assignments will be updated to reflect the change, ensuring no lapse in emergency coverage.
County leaders have emphasized that maintaining uninterrupted EMS service is a priority, especially as smaller towns face increasing challenges in sustaining their own medical response agencies.
Lake Waccamaw’s EMS system has faced ongoing difficulties since losing its county EMS contract in 2022, a move that forced the town to operate independently. The transition to Whiteville Rescue is expected to stabilize service delivery while reducing the financial and administrative burden on the town.
Whiteville Rescue already provides EMS coverage in other parts of Columbus County and is expected to integrate Lake Waccamaw’s call volume into its existing operations.
Further details on implementation, staffing, and unit placement are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
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