Dougherty Co. EMS Director Sam Allen reflects on his career after his announced retirement
ALBANY, Ga. – One of Dougherty County’s longest serving first responders will be calling it a career in the next week.
CBS 44’s Brian Roche sat down with him to look back on his career.
For EMS director, Sam Allen, it’s been a long time coming, but after serving as part of Dougherty County EMS for nearly 32 years, he’s announced his retirement.
“After 31 years and four months, I’m ready to kick back and retire. I’ve been a paramedic and I have enjoyed every day of it, but I’m ready to spend time with my wife and my sons,” said Sam Allen, Director, Dougherty Co. EMS.
Sam shared with us some of the biggest events he’s been through as part of Dougherty County EMS from floods to hurricanes to the snowstorm we experienced earlier this year.
As well, we spoke one last time on the Opioid problem that’s plagued the county for years and where it stands now to him.
“The good news is, in 2024, we’ve actually seen a decrease in the number of cases that we’re going to. So, I think alone with our law enforcement partners, they’re doing an outstanding job. The coalition between the Coroner (Michael Fowler) and Angie Barbour and Phoebe and Dougherty County. I think it has had a big impact on our community,” said Allen.
One thing Sam tells us he’s happy to have accomplished in his time is incentivizing people to become first responders in Dougherty County.
“When I first started, paramedic pay was $7.50 an hour. When I took over as the director, it was $15.50 an hour and leave as the director. Paramedic pay is $24.50 an hour with a $5,000 signing bonus. And, if current staff stay with the county, they also get a $5,000 retention bonus,” said Allen.
And, for the future of Dougherty County EMS, Sam says it’s going to be in good hands with Interim Director, James Gibney.
“Just getting that opportunity to serve in the same capacity, Sam has done a lot of work to give me a good starting point and a package to work with. And, I’m just appreciative of the opportunity to continue that forward,” said James Gibney, Interim Director, Dougherty Co. EMS.
“There will be continuity with the staff and ensure the citizens that the department will move forward in a positive manner,” said Allen.
And as Sam heads into his retirement, he’s happy to know that the first responders of Dougherty County are going to be taken care of while they take care of the public.
Sam’s last day will be Friday, March 7th.
Brian Roche reporting.
Copyright 2025 CBS 44 News South Georgia. All rights reserved.
