The state of emergency surrounding the Tybee Island Fire Department seems to be coming to an end, as its license to perform basic life-saving procedures has been reinstated.
The lapse in the license was caused by turnover in the department in late July, according to then-interim city manager Michelle Owens. The license was activated in 2022 by former fire chief Jeremy Kendrick before expiring in July. The renewal paperwork began prior to Kendrick’s termination in April but was never completed.
In an update posted to its Facebook Tuesday, the department now is able to immediately resume providing EMS care at a basic level, due to council approving a new medical director and the coordination efforts of paramedic Austin Michel.
According to the statement, basic lifesaving care includes all the tasks that can be performed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), including taking vitals, administering CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) , delivering oxygen, measuring blood sugar, administering non-IV medications, bandaging and splinting. The license is valid for the next two years.