Mission Statement

Escambia County Emergency Medical Services' mission is innovative in our pursuit of being a community-focused, employee-engaged, performance-driven provider of emergency health services. EMS provide services that range from Advance Life Support, Basic Life Support, Critical Care transports, special details and Bariatric transports for Escambia County’s over 350,000 citizens. EMS also helps enhance the health and safety of our community by offering a large number of educational opportunities to our citizens. Included in these, are professional American Heart Association courses, large hands only CPR demonstrations and other educational outreach services held at community events and schools. EMS also provides incident management and medical support at large-scale events such as the Blue Angels, concerts and other large gatherings. 

FY 2016-2017 Accomplishments

• Received the American Heart Association Mission Lifeline Gold Award for the department’s work, training and commitment to improving the overall quality of care and survival rates for Escambia County citizens and visitors, as it relates to heart attack victims. 
• Participated in numerous EMS public outreach events throughout the year. These included dozens of static displays that showcase our department and its equipment and enhance the health and awareness of our citizens. One example of this was the CPR flash mobs we performed that helped teach citizens the importance of hands-only CPR. 
• Established and graduated its first in-house Paramedic Program. Ten EMTs graduated from the program and are transitioning to paramedic positions. This program has had a major impact on the ability to meet the increased requests for EMS assistance. 
• Held an open house at our headquarters during the 2017 EMS Week. This events allows citizens to come through and meet employees and tour equipment that is purchased by the local option sales tax.
• Took delivery of two new ambulances to help in continued delivery of timely care and transport to our citizens. 
• Formed an organizational committee made up of employees at all levels of the organization. This committee is responsible for developing, with the senior staff, the division’s first strategic plan. The committee has made major improvements, and members of the committee have been selected to present at a major EMS conference on strategic planning and employee engagement. 
• Promoted the first section chief of the newly-formed Section of Administration, Professional Standards, and Community Engagement. This section oversees training, quality assurance, performance improvement, policy, accreditation, information support and community engagement. 
• Launched a tier response transport system through a collaborative agreement with the state of Florida. ECEMS now deploys Rescue Ambulances at the Basic Life Support level in addition to its Advanced Life Support Ambulances. These new units allow ALS units to be more available throughout the county and ensure more timely emergency services. 
• Deputy Chief of Operations Leon Salter graduated Florida State University’s Askew School of Public Administration with his Certified Public Manager Degree. The CPM program is a two-year program for leaders in public organizations and signifies a commitment to improving these organizations. 
• The department launched its first ever Leadership Academy. The Academy was created to provide essential leadership and management training to aspiring and current leaders in the EMS division as well as emergency communication and beach safety. The 40-hour curriculum covers leadership essentials, conflict management, change management, performance improvement, communications and incident command.