Escambia County EMS CORE Program Celebrates 400th Patient Milestone

Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is proud to announce a significant achievement in its Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort program. The CORE program has successfully assisted its 400th patient, reaching a major milestone in its mission to combat the opioid crisis and provide comprehensive care to individuals battling opioid addiction.

CORE is a state-funded addiction recovery program that expanded to Escambia County in late 2022, with the county accepting its first CORE patient in February 2023. 

Since its inception, the CORE program has worked diligently to offer personalized, non-judgmental support to individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. This program focuses on providing immediate medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery support to help patients through the recovery process.

"When we started, we had no idea just how incredible the journey would be," said Joey Kerman, Supervisor of the Escambia County EMS CORE Program. "We didn’t have a roadmap — just a deep desire to make our community better. We knew the numbers were high, the need was substantial, and we had a group ready to make a difference. We set out to help people recover and empower them to become the heroes of their own stories. Healing is not easy, and the challenges of recovery are unlike those of any other disease. While physical signs and symptoms exist, addiction is often a secondary disease. What lurks beneath is even more difficult years of physical and emotional trauma that people try to self-medicate with substances."

"We have asked these individuals to trust us, to let us guide them from darkness into light," Kerman added. "These 400 patients have placed that trust in us — and in doing so, they’ve inspired us every day to help others. They remain our biggest source of referrals, proving that recovery is possible even when past attempts have failed. We have shown that healing can happen. And today, I want to celebrate those 400 patients. They are the true heroes and deserve the praise."

The CORE program combines EMS response with community resources, including addiction counseling, mental health support, and recovery services, to give patients the tools and services they need to overcome addiction. By intervening at critical moments and connecting individuals with resources, CORE helps to break the cycle of addiction and offers a pathway to recovery.

"Our CORE team truly cares about the individuals we serve, and I am so proud of them for reaching this significant milestone," Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. "Hearing the success stories and the lives being transformed through the CORE program is so rewarding, and that positive impact is what drives us forward as we continue to address the opioid crisis in our community."

The CORE program is made possible by community partnerships including Community Health Northwest Florida and Lakeview Center.

As the CORE program continues to grow, Escambia County EMS remains committed to providing compassionate care and essential support for individuals affected by opioid addiction. The 400th patient milestone is just one step in the ongoing effort to combat the opioid crisis and improve public health in Escambia County.

For more information about the CORE program, please visit MyEscambia.com/CORE, or contact CORE at 850-477-HELP or 850-377-4965.

About Escambia County EMS

Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is dedicated to providing high-quality pre-hospital emergency care and innovative community outreach programs. The Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort program aims to provide essential resources to individuals struggling with opioid addiction, offering both immediate care and assistance with long-term recovery solutions.

To learn more about Escambia County EMS, visit MyEscambia.com/EMS.