Professional. Prepared. Proud to Serve.

Welcome to the official homepage of the Surfside Beach EMS Department, where professionalism, dedication, and community commitment are the core of everything we do.

At Surfside Beach EMS (SSBEMS), we proudly serve the residents and visitors of Surfside Beach, Texas—a unique and vibrant coastal island community. Our mission is simple: to provide the highest level of prehospital emergency medical care with compassion, integrity, and excellence. Whether you're a year-round local, a weekend beachgoer, or someone just enjoying our nature trails, we are here for you—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Who We Are

  • One 24-Hour Ambulance Unit staffed with experienced EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics.
  • Beach Response UTV Unit—a specialized EMS utility vehicle deployed during busy weekends to provide rapid medical response on the sand and shoreline.
  • Highly Trained Medical Professionals with certifications in:
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
    • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
    • And many more nationally recognized specialty courses.
  • Monthly Continuing Education Requirements that exceed the standards set by the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS).

Leadership with Experience

Surfside Beach EMS is guided by strong, seasoned leadership—anchored by a full-time Paramedic EMS Director who brings over 30 years of frontline EMS, education, and emergency management experience to the table. His expertise spans rural and urban systems, large-scale disaster operations, and the development of EMS personnel and protocols from the ground up.

As both the EMS Director and the appointed Emergency Management Coordinator for the Village of Surfside Beach, he plays a critical dual role—overseeing the daily clinical operations of the EMS department and coordinating emergency preparedness, planning, and response for the entire community. From hurricanes and floods to mass-casualty events, he ensures that Surfside Beach is not just reactive—but proactively ready.

His leadership philosophy is built on:

  • Accountability at all levels of emergency service
  • Ongoing training and continuing education as pillars of operational excellence
  • Clear, compassionate communication with the public and within the department
  • Innovation and adaptability in the face of evolving threats and challenges

He actively mentors’ new EMS professionals, leads multi-agency training events, collaborates with state and federal emergency management partners, and is instrumental in shaping policies that meet or exceed Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), FEMA, and TDEM standards.

Under his direction, Surfside Beach EMS is not just a service, it's a mission-driven team committed to excellence, resilience, and community trust.

Community Involvement

Surfside Beach EMS is more than emergency response—we are active partners in our community:

  • Hosting public CPR classes
  • Offering ride-along programs during the summer season
  • Participating in food drives, homeschool education, public safety fairs, and city events
  • Providing free blood pressure and health checks
  • Welcoming the public for station tours and education opportunities

Serving a Diverse Island Community

Surfside Beach attracts people from all over the world. Our EMS crews are trained and experienced in serving a diverse population, overcoming language, cultural, and religious barriers with professionalism and empathy. From elevated beach rescues to complex medical emergencies, we are always ready.

Prepared for All Seasons

During the quieter winter months, our teams focus on intensive training to prepare for the busier summer surge in visitors and calls. Our goal is consistent: to provide every patient with excellent service and care—no matter the time of year.

We're Here When You Need Us Most

At Surfside Beach EMS, we’re more than just responders—we're neighbors, educators, protectors, and community advocates. We take great pride in the services we provide and are honored to serve this incredible island community.

Questions? Want a tour? Need a CPR class or health check for your organization? Contact us anytime—we’re here to help!

 

CPR Class Registry                 CPR Policy               EMS Ride Along                 Community Health Check