Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services (DCEMS) was established on April 1, 1994. Before the establishment of DCEMS, emergency medical care was provided by contracted private ambulance services.

As Dorchester County EMS emerged from the private sector, it began operations with four units.

• Medic 1 in downtown Summerville
• Medic 2 in the Oakbrook area
• Medic 3 in Ridgeville
• Medic 5 in Saint George

As the years passed, Medic 4 was established in Harleyville. With the rapid growth of infrastructure and population, three additional units and the Quick Response Vehicle were placed into service and began operations throughout the county.

In 1998, Douglas H. Warren was appointed as the Director of the department. Through his efforts, Dorchester County EMS is now considered one of the most renowned, forward thinking EMS services in South Carolina.  

In 2007, the service demands also prompted the creation of the Deputy Director position awarded to longstanding supervisor, Wendy Lee.

In January 2009, a new Medic 7 station was built in The Ponds neighborhood.

Both new Medic 1/EMS Headquarters in Summerville and a new Medic 5 station in St. George opened in 2010.