Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

To meet the emergency medical needs of more than one million residents and visitors, Pinellas County employs a unique all paramedic, first response and ambulance system of Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency care and patient transportation.

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.

System History & Design:

In 1980, a Special Act of the Florida Legislature (Chapter 80-585) created the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority. The Pinellas Board of County Commissioners serve as the EMS Authority.
 
The Special Act prescribed a countywide referendum to propose the creation of a countywide tax and Emergency Medical Services System. The referendum passed with the citizens overwhelmingly supportive (81% in favor) of creating a Countywide EMS system.

In the late 1980’s Fire and EMS dispatch was consolidated, followed quickly by the centralization of 9-1-1 operations into a Countywide system.

The current EMS System, termed a “Public Utility Model”, is a sophisticated design that strives for clinical excellence with effective cost containment. It is a performance-based model that employs stringent performance requirements and response time accountability for all ALS First Responder agencies and the Ambulance Contractor.

The system is designed to provide exceptional rapid response and on scene patient care by Paramedics staffing Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Units from municipal Fire Departments and Fire Districts. Transport and continued patient care is provided by Paramedics staffing ALS Ambulances provided by Sunstar Paramedics.

System Components:

• Pinellas County Safety & Emergency Services is responsible for managing the daily operations of the EMS System on behalf of the EMS Authority.

• The Medical Control Board is an eleven (11) member board, appointed by the EMS Authority, consisting of emergency physicians and, hospital administrators.

• The EMS Advisory Council is comprised of 24 interested citizens, elected officials, and system providers also appointed by the EMS Authority.

• The Medical Director is contracted by the EMS Authority to provide clinical oversight and leadership to the entire EMS system and all service providers.

• ALS First Responder Services are provided by eighteen (18) Fire Departments. The EMS Authority funds sixty-two (62) ALS First Responder Units (Fire Engines and Rescue Units) who respond following a “closest unit response policy” without regard to municipal or district boundary lines countywide.

• The Ambulance Contractor operates under the County’s trade-name Sunstar Paramedics. The current contractor is Paramedics Plus and they are responsible for providing all emergency, non-emergency and interfacility ambulance transportation utilizing Critical Care Ambulances and ALS Ambulances. The contractor provides regional neonatal and pediatric Critical Care Transport services in conjunction with All Children’s Hospital and provides Mental Health Van services. The contractor purchases and distributes all medical supplies and pharmaceuticals and manages the EMS Central Supply warehouse. Sunstar has seventy (70) ambulances in the fleet.

• Continuing Medical Education is provided by St. Petersburg College by contract.

Call Volume

FY 2011/2012