_{Photo Above Article: From LaVergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro, to Eagleville and Lascassas - Local EMS cover entire county. Hear podcast above.} 

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Throughout Rutherford County, Emergency Medical Services or EMS, respond to a huge variety of 9-1-1 calls 24-hours a day. Those calls add up quickly, according to Brian Gaither, director of the EMS program... EMS sees anywhere between 100 to 130 calls per day, which are covered by 17 emergency vehicles and another being added to make 18.

With up to 370-thousand residents, there are no shortages of trauma for paramedics, who are stretched from one end of the county to the other, every hour of the day... EMS workers cover 619 square miles in the county.

Drug overdoses are also a continued problem, but the number of overdose cases can change from time to time, depending on what is being sold on the street...

Several departments within Rutherford County are continuing to work with the County Mayor on a proposed forensic center, which Gaither told us he was optimistic about... He told WGNS that local law enforcement agencies have one of the biggest needs for a forensic center...

Career Opportunities: In Rutherford County, EMS shifts typically entail 24 hours “on” and 72 hours “off.” That said, there are several paramedic shifts that are currently open. To learn more, visit the Rutherford County EMS webpage, or click here to view the open positions.