History of EMS in Pinellas County

1978—Pedestrian Ronnie Redwine dies while waiting for EMS, after being hit by a car while crossing busy Park Boulevard near Pinellas Park. Municipal fire rescue crews would not respond because the incident was beyond city limits. Incident galvanizes public into supporting countywide EMS system.

1980—Pinellas County voters create countywide EMS Authority.

1987—Pinellas County EMS establishes contracts with two ambulance providers: Medic One for north county/SAS for south county. Later that year, provider proposals are solicited for one, countywide ambulance contract.

1987—Medic One signs contract with Pinellas County EMS to provide countywide ambulance service.

1987—the Pinellas County Emergency Communications Center was formed and assumed the role of 9-1-1 center for the central and northern portions of the County.

1988—Medic One begins delivering contracted services.

1988—Modern countywide EMS system goes into effect with countywide ambulance service, enhanced 9-1-1, auto vehicle locators, etc. The “Sunstar” logo goes up on all 54 Medic One ambulances.

1991—The Pinellas County Emergency Communications Center became the primary answering point for ALL 9-1-1 calls within the county.

1997—Pinellas County negotiates most recent set of 10-year contracts with fire departments to provide emergency medical services.

October 2007—County commissioners adopt new, 5-year EMS contracts.

November 2008—County Commissioners approve transfer of ambulance pre-arrival instructions from Sunstar Communications Center to Emergency Communications/9-1-1. Other consideration is being given to transferring ambulance dispatch to the 9-1-1 center, as well as developing a priority dispatch system of assigning emergency vehicles to EMS calls (9-1-1 center currently dispatches all fire rescue vehicles).

December 2008—County Commissioners, sitting as the EMS Authority, vote to eliminate EMS funding for Pinellas Suncoast Fire District’s Station 28.

March 2009—County commissioners, sitting as the EMS Authority, consider new, reasonable and customary cost standards regarding EMS, with special consideration given to performance standards.