About Us

Pender EMS and Fire Inc. is charged with providing Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Crash Rescue, and Search and Rescue, across the 933 square miles of Pender County. The county has 62,000 year-round residents, with a seasonal influx of more than 300,000 tourists.
Pender EMS and Fire Inc., boasts eight Paramedic Ambulances, two Paramedic Quick Response Vehicles, and one Bariatric Transport Ambulance. There are six Fire Stations, Four Engine Companies, and two Ladder Companies with Boat operations based both on the east and west sides of the county as well as two Heavy Rescue Trucks. Pender EMS and Fire is operated by 132 full-time and 60 part-time employees, along with volunteer members, that staff these stations and apparatus.
Emergency Medical Ambulances are staffed by one EMT-Paramedic and one EMT-Intermediate or Basic. Our EMS Division covers nine separate response districts within the county. Paramedic transport trucks serve eight districts, and a Paramedic with a Quick Response Vehicle staffs the Maple Hill Station. The Willard station is staffed with a Paramedic and one EMT plus volunteers from Union EMS and Rescue. All nine stations have full living quarters and backup generator power.
Fire Stations are staffed by a minimum of 3 full-time personnel all with EMT-Basic or above credentials, Technical Rescue (Heavy Rescue), NC Firefighter 1 and 2, and Hazmat. Special Operations teams are located at each station with qualified personnel.
The Rescue Technicians of our Rescue Division operate two crash-rescue trucks certified in Heavy Rescue. We also provide Ocean Rescue with rescue swimmers, in addition to Flat Water and Swift Water Rescue. Our Mobile Command Post is staffed with Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement personnel for Search and Rescue Operations or Mass Casualty Incidents.
Our Fire, EMS, and Rescue Divisions have been granted Teaching Institute status from both the North Carolina Office of EMS and the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Pender EMS and Fire prides itself on its role in teaching the community how to be better aware of what to do in an emergency or life-threatening situation. We believe a community that is better educated in healthcare and fire prevention will be safer and lead healthier and safer lives. Our program to place Automated External Defibrillators in police cars, schools, and public buildings has already saved lives. Public education classes include Fire prevention, CPR, First Aid, and AED use. These classes are offered in schools, churches, and local civic organizations throughout Pender County.