b'Beaufort County First Responders - Here to HelpBeaufortCountyEmergencyMedicalServices(EMS)provideshigh-quality, emergent patient care for citizens and visitors of Beaufort County. Employees receive advanced training and maintain certifications with the National Regis-try Certification as either an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) or Paramedic. Our EMTs, AEMTs and Paramedics provide immediate medical care for conditions including but not lim-ited to physical trauma, cardiac irregularities, respiratory distress, allergy/ana-phylaxis reactions, seizure, and drug overdose reversal. Beaufort County Animal Services aims to promote responsible domestic pet/livestock ownership, prevent the spread of animal borne diseases to other domes-tic pets/livestock and protect the public by seizing public nuisance domestic pets/livestock roaming throughout the County. Animal Services provides a temporary shelter for stray, unwanted or homeless domestic pets/livestock, and maintains a vigorous relocation program to include health screening, vaccinations and man-datory spay or neutering of same.New Library Branch Announced for Port RoyalThe Port Royal Library will become the sixth branch of the Beaufort County Library system. It will join the five existing library branches: Beaufort (1992), Bluffton (2002), Hilton Head (1998), Lobeco (2003), and St. Helena (2012).The new branch will assume the space of the former Beaufort County Senior Services building located at 1408 Paris Avenue, in the heart of downtown Port Royal. On Monday, October 9, Beaufort County Council awarded the renova-tion contract to Beaufort Construction, LLC.The cozy building will offer, in addition to its book collection, a meeting room, study room, printer, copier, fax/scan unit, computers, Wi-Fi, and spaces for chil-dren, teens, and adults.Heritage Tree Known as Cherry Hill Oak ProtectedIn September, Beaufort County announced the purchase of an 11.22-acre prop-erty in the Town of Port Royal that is home to a famed live oak tree known as the Cherry Hill Oak using $1,550,000 from the Rural and Critical Land Preserva-tion Program. The Cherry Hill Oak is a South Carolina Heritage Tree, designat-ed in 2013 by Trees SC, and at 113.75inches dbh, it is larger in diameter than the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island. The Town of Port Royal passed a proclamation to support protection of the property on June 21, 2023 and will maintain the property in partnership with county ownership. Disabilities and Special Needs Department Breaks Ground on Multi-Use TrailThe Department of Disabilities and Special Needs assists individuals with intellectual and related disabilities such as autism, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Services are provided for consumers throughout their lives, depending upon the need. This path has been long awaited by the department and will be utilized by individuals seeking services.'