Two new fire and rescue teams in Dorchester County are ready to respond to emergencies when they occur. Dorchester County Fire and Rescue Chief Tres Atkinson said they implemented a new squad program in December to supplement the EMS division in the county and help with medical response. Chief Atkinson said 60% of the fire department call volume is answering medical calls. There are two of these units now in place in the county Monday through Friday. Instead of dispatching a fire truck to a medical call, the county can send one of these SUVs with medical equipment and personnel to the scene, allowing the fire trucks to be available for other calls that may come in. “The funding came through the American Rescue Plan through COVID money,” said Chief Atkinson.