On March 24, 1957, the joint Executive Boards of the Colonial Park, Linglestown, and Paxtonia Fire Companies held a business meeting to discuss the organization of a local ambulance service in Lower Paxton Township. Each fire company contributed $50.00 toward the start-up of the company and held the first organization meeting on March 27, 1957 at the Linglestown Fire Company. The new ambulance organization was called "The Firemen's Ambulance Association of Lower Paxton Township" and provided emergency medical services to Lower Paxton and West Hanover Townships in Dauphin County.

The first ambulance was a 1948 Buick Ambulance donated to the three fire companies by Mr. Samuel Mummert, then President of the Lower Paxton Township Lions Club. By the year's end, the ambulance company, comprised entirely of volunteers, responded to 63 calls, repaid the $50.00 start up costs to each of the fire companies and earned $800.00 in assets.

That first vehicle, along with those purchased during the first few years, were housed at the Colonial Park Firehouse and the Paxtonia Firehouse.  During this time the name of the organization was changed to "The Lower Paxton Volunteer Firemen's Ambulance Association."

When the first station was built the annual call volume had risen to 1,614 and the company had increased the fleet to 3 trucks. That original station remains in use today at 5531 Poplar Street in Lower Paxton Township, directly behind the Paxtonia Firehouse.

Call volume continued to increase and it was necessary to put on additional personnel. Volunteers working at the time were unable to meet the emergency medical demands of a growing community. In 1977 the first two paid Emergency Medical Technicians were hired. The company continued to operate with a combination of paid personnel and volunteers, but the list of volunteers decreased steadily. Paid personnel out-numbered the volunteers by 1986, leading to another name change for the organization. The company was now called "Lower Paxton Emergency Medical Services."

In addition to the many changes the company was facing due to the increasing call volume, far greater changes were taking place in the emergency medical services industry. These changes dealt with quicker response possibilities, new medical technology and equipment, and reimbursement regulations. The organization made many adjustments to adapt to the rapid changes taking place in EMS, including the expansion to a regional operation. The organization expanded the primary emergency response area to include East Hanover Township and the northern half of South Hanover Township. This expansion in area increased the number of emergency calls, therefore increasing revenue, so that the communities being served could receive the best care available. Along with the growth in geographic area, the company name was changed one more time to "South Central Emergency Medical Services, Inc."

A Board of Directors oversee the operation of South Central EMS, Inc. in all areas to promote continued growth, efficiency, and the provision of quality care. The Board is comprised of local active businessmen and businesswomen who live or work in the townships for which primary response is provided. The board members bring a balance of emergency medical services experience and business expertise to the organization.