ALIGNING BOARD PRIORITIES WITH OPTIMIZED RESOURCES P E O P L E F O C U S E D . P E R F O R M A N C E D R I V E N .ALIGNING BOARD PRIORITIES WITH OPTIMIZED RESOURCES

Mission StatementTo preserve life, improve health, and promote safety through clinically superior and compassionate pre-hospital care and life safety education for citizens and visitors of Leon County.

Strategic Initiatives/Support HighlightsQuality of Life • Partnered with the local hospitals and medical

providers to improve heart attack outcomes and develop a system of care that exceeds national standards. These efforts were recognized through the American Heart Association awarding EMS the Mission: Lifeline Silver Plus award.

• For the seventh consecutive year, EMS maintained accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.

• Operated a Tactical Medical Program to provide medical support to the Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, allowing specially trained paramedics to reach victims of violent incidents faster, resulting in decreased mortality.

• Provided low-cost Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to organizations and business throughout the County. Community AEDs improves survivability of sudden cardiac arrest.

• Waived EMS fees for uninsured or underinsured veterans.

• Conducted 150 public education events.

Contact Us(850) 606-2100www.LeonCountyFL.gov/LCEMS

ALIGNING BOARD PRIORITIES WITH OPTIMIZED RESOURCES

PRESERVING LIFE. IMPROVING HEALTH. PROMOTING SAFETY.

• After celebrating 13 years of dedicated service to the community and responding to over 440,000 calls for service, the nationally recognized Leon County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) continues to lead the industry in setting the standard for emergency care .

• With over 350,000 people dying from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States before reaching the hospital, Leon County strives to continuously improve the chances of survival by advocating for the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and also Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training through its Heart Ready initiative . Through these efforts, over 1,500 citizens were trained in CPR and AED use . Also, there are 858 public access AEDs in the community registered with EMS .

» Press the Chest 2017: For the seventh year, EMS hosted “Press the Chest,” a community-wide CPR and AED training event held at the Donald L . Tucker Civic Center . EMS and community partners trained more than 500 citizens in CPR and AED as one class .

• Leon County is committed to educating the community on the importance of safety preparedness . EMS hosted several events during the year, including:

» Child Passenger Safety Seat Program: The Child Passenger Safety Seat program conducted over 60 child safety seat checkpoints, inspections, and installations at the Public Safety Complex as well as health and safety fairs throughout the community .

» Leon Lifesaver: Leon Lifesaver is a community risk reduction program presented at over 25 events, which focuses on improving safety and preventing injuries in young school-aged children . Leon, an interactive robotic ambulance, goes into schools and community events teaching children about the proper use of 9-1-1, the importance of car safety restraints and bicycle helmet use, and stranger danger .

» EMS participated in the “Week of Awareness” events .  These events were conducted prior to the winter and Spring Break holidays and were dedicated to educating students, parents and others in the community concerning the issues of underage drinking, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt usage . Close to 6,000 students benefitted from these community organized events .

» Senior Citizens: EMS participated in various senior citizens events including the Leon County Senior Outreach program . These programs provided information on healthy living, fall prevention, CPR training and heart health education .

» Safety Fair: EMS conducted the eighth annual safety fair to highlight personal safety and injury prevention . Educated children and families on bicycle safety, 9-1-1 use, and stranger danger . Conducted child safety seat checkpoints by certified car seat technicians . This event was conducted at Governor’s Square Mall . EMS hosted this event along with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Animal Control, Capital Regional Medical Center, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee Fire Department, Tallahassee Police Department, Consolidated Dispatch Center, Florida Department of Health, American Red Cross, Tallahassee

2017 Press the Chest

OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY:

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

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P E O P L E F O C U S E D . P E R F O R M A N C E D R I V E N .

Community College, FSU First Responders, Community Traffic and Safety Team, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and the Pilot Club of Tallahassee .

» Infant CPR Training: EMS in partnership with Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition taught over 100 new mothers CPR and AED use in order to prevent, recognize and respond to cardiac, respiratory, choking and sleep-related emergencies .

» EMS participated in Adult, Youth and Senior Leadership Tallahassee presenting Public Safety Day . Additionally, this year EMS participated in the Lighthouse of the Big Bend Leadership Tallahassee day which was dedicated to providing students with visual impairments an opportunity to work with paramedics through hands-on skills such as CPR, AED use, EKG monitoring, and working through trauma scenarios .

• As Florida’s first Dementia Caring Community, Leon County supported the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in the further development of the pilot program, provided enhanced paramedic training and engaged local partners in making the County a more dementia-friendly community .

Demonstrating Highest Standards of Public ServiceThe Emergency Medical Services Division has maintained accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) since 2010 . CAAS accreditation requires meeting strict national standards of excellence that signify ambulance service has met the “gold standard” for the ambulance industry .

Did You KnowLeon County’s Critical Care Transport team transported over 215 critically ill patients. The CCT team transports citizens to the facility where they can receive specialized treatment.

Safety Fair

Florida Department of Health EMS Picture of the for Year 2017: Honor Flight Tallahassee; Jim Stalker, Kayse Green and Michelle Lingar assist a WWII Veteran onto a plane bound for Washington, D.C.

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