Stokes County EMS began April 1st, 1974 with three ambulances and 15 employees certified at EMT level, working a 24-on, 24-off schedule.

In 1976 the county began providing Advanced Life Support services at EMT-Intermediate level.

In 1981 EMS began providing Paramedic level care and has continued providing advanced pre-hospital care.

In 1994 a 4th ambulance was added to the service, with employees working 12-hour days, Monday through Friday.

In 1999 Unit 4 transitioned from 12-hour shifts to 24-hour coverage, 7 days a week.

In December of 2004 Unit 5 was added and operated 24-hour coverage, 7 days a week.

In 2009 a ground breaking was held on Chestnut Grove Road, for the new EMS Station 3. This relocation housed both EMS Units 3 and 4 from the old station located on Old US 52 in Pinnacle.

Stokes County EMS received the Bronze Award in 2015, Silver Award in 2016, and Gold Plus Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 from the American Heart Association and Wake Forest Baptist Health – Heart and Vascular Center, for achievements in STEMI care.
In 2019 Stokes EMS initiated a Community Paramedic Program.

In 2020 Stokes County added 6 Lucas CPR device, 6 Zoll Ventilators and Glidescope intubation cameras to all 6 front line EMS units.

In 2021 construction was completed on the new EMS Station 1, located in Walnut Cove. This station will house Units 1 and 6. Unit 6 was added full time in July of 2021.

In February of 2022 Stokes County EMS added whole blood to the EMS Supervisor vehicle.

Over the past 49 years Stokes County EMS has expanded from 15 employees to 74 full and part time staff. Our staff currently operates 6 Advanced Life Support ambulances and one Supervisor Quick Response vehicle daily. Our Community Paramedics work 5 days a week. Our Director and Training Officer work Monday through Friday. Stokes County EMS has flourished over the past 49 years and we look forward to offering the best services to our communities as we continue to grow.