EMS / 9-1-1 / Fire Administration

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

EMS is provided countywide by the Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the EMS Authority, a special, countywide taxing district created in 1980 to fund emergency medical services (EMS) throughout Pinellas County. Pinellas County maintains EMS contracts with 18 fire service agencies, and one ambulance provider (Paramedic Plus, operating in Pinellas County under the trade name “Sunstar”).

To meet the emergency medical needs of more than one million residents and visitors, Pinellas County employs a unique all paramedic, first response system of Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency care. Pinellas County is on the leading edge of emergency medical care, and has become the model for EMS providers throughout Florida and around the world. more

Fire Administration

Fire suppression protection provided by municipal fire departments serving the citizens within each municipality.

Pinellas County maintains contracts with ten municipal agencies to provide fire suppression services to unincorporated neighborhoods within the respective fire districts. Four, independent fire districts (East Lake, Palm Harbor, Lealman and Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District) have taxing authority within their respective fire districts and provide fire suppression services to those residents directly. more

9-1-1 Emergency Communications Call Center

The Communications Center is a necessary link between the person with the problem and the personnel who can help resolve it most effectively. It is the primary goal of the communications center to obtain and transfer necessary information in a timely and efficient manner. Accomplishing this goal will ensure the effective management of Fire/EMS apparatus and police units in their response to the public's need in the least amount of time. more