Winterville Rescue and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was first incorporated July 16th, 1971.  The first 911 call received was a car accident involving a fatality on Hwy 11 by Robert’s Company.  Winterville EMS started with about 12 members who all volunteered their time for emergency calls and for training that was required by the Department of Health.  The first set of officers and Board of Directors of Winterville EMS consisted of J. Brooks Tucker (captain), Frank Cash, Ashley Dail, Gene Langley, Danny Martin, Tony Day, Martin McLawhorn, and Larry Vincent.  The first ambulance purchased by Winterville EMS was a Chevy conversion van purchased with the aid of a matching grant from the Governors Highway Safety.  In 1977, a second ambulance was put in service to provide service for back to back calls.  Winterville EMS functioned out of part of the old Fire Department, and then moved to into their own station on Chapman Street and now is housed with the Fire Department and Police Department in the new Town of Winterville Emergency Services Building on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Street. 

Winterville EMS was the first volunteer department to advance to the Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate and in 2005 Winterville EMS advanced to a Paramedic level department.  To provide 24 hours a day paramedic service to the citizens of Winterville and Pitt County the department now consist of about 54 members.