News

On June 27, 2024, the American Ambulance Association submitted its comments regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed Emergency Response Standard. View the AAA’s comment submission here. The public comment period on the proposed standard concluded on July 22, 2024.

OSHA announced that it will hold an informal virtual public hearing on the proposed standard in November and is now accepting written requests to testify. The hearing will begin on November 12, 2024, and continue from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm ET on subsequent weekdays for as long as needed to hear the testimonies and question witnesses.

Written requests to testify are due by September 27, 2024. Individuals or groups who request more than 10 minutes to present their oral testimony at the hearing or who will submit documentary evidence at the hearing must submit the full text of their testimony and all documentary evidence no later than October 18, 2024.

AAA President, Randy Strozyk has submitted to testify on behalf of the AAA and encourages all members of EMS agencies or other interest groups to do the same. More information on the public hearing can be found here. Additionally, you can submit your request to testify here. If you have any questions about the proposed rule, please contact the AAA at hello@ambulance.org.

The all-volunteer National EMS Memorial Service honors EMS professionals who have died in the line of duty. Write your message of sympathy for the families of the 2024 honorees below, and they will be shared with them at the NEMSMS Weekend of Honor. Even just a sentence or two means the world to those left behind.

Share your message here: https://ambulance.org/2024/06/07/nemsms-messages/ 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2020
Contact: Meghan Winesett
Florida Ambulance Association
mwinesett@ambulance.org

The Florida Ambulance Association (FAA) has partnered with the Florida Department of Health to administer the first COVID-19 vaccinations in the state of Florida. As part of Phase 1(A) of the state’s vaccination plan, paramedics from FAA member companies will administer vaccines to long term care centers throughout the state beginning Wednesday.

Florida’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers have played a pivotal role in the front-line response to the Public Health Emergency and our members are honored to be part of this next phase of response to further protect our communities.

“Our nation’s ambulance services are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to emergencies ranging from heart attack to hurricane to pandemic. From the beginning, Florida’s EMS providers have been deeply involved in COVID-19 testing and Coronavirus patient navigation. Given our highly trained and fully mobile healthcare workforce, it was natural next step for Paramedics to take the lead in vaccinating some of our state’s most vulnerable populations. We look forward to our expanded role treating patients in place,” said Florida Ambulance Association President Terence Ramotar.

If you have any questions related to this press release, please contact Meghan Winesett at 703-203-9885 or mwinesett@ambulance.org

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About the Florida Ambulance Association

The Florida Ambulance Association (FAA) is the voice of ambulance providers in Tallahassee.  Composed of more than 30 mobile healthcare providers across our state, we collaborate to drive policy that supports excellence in patient care and effective disaster response.

Download press release here

The document linked below provides the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) for determining the payment limit for ambulance services. The AIF for CY 2021 is 0.2 percent.

MM12031.pdf 

New Port Richey, Florida (August 20, 2020) – MedFleet Ambulance, a leading provider of Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance and non-medical stretcher services for patients in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Polk Counties, announces the commencement of its Critical Care Transport (CCT) program.  This highest level of ground transport ambulance service complements the MedFleet operation by offering a specialized service to meet the needs of high acuity and complex medical and trauma patients.

MedFleet, under the new ownership of nationally recognized EMS leader, PatientCare EMS Solutions, has assembled an outstanding team of EMS professionals with expertise in the provision of Critical Care Transport. This commitment represents a significant investment during the very challenging time of uncertainty and resource utilization due to COVID-19, demonstrating its dedication to advancing patient care services. “This is a testament to PatientCare’s commitment to continuing MedFleet’s decades-long tradition of serving its communities with uncompromising quality and innovation in ambulance services,” said Andrew Williams, the former Owner, and current Director of Business Development for MedFleet Ambulance. 

MedFleet’s CCT team is comprised of a critical care trained Registered Nurse, Paramedic and EMT, who maintain continuity of care throughout transport and are able to provide a level of care comparable to the inpatient setting. “We want everyone to know this is like an ICU on wheels,” states Kimberly Lacina, Director of Clinical Operations at MedFleet. “This is a big step forward in providing needed services and a new, advanced level of care in our area. It is a win-win situation for all EMS providers in the region and we are excited to begin this important initiative,” said Mark Postma, President of PatientCare EMS.

About MedFleet

Medfleet has been committed to providing BLS ambulance service since its inception in 1993, and over the years has expanded services into ALS level transports in its geographic coverage area of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Polk Counties in Florida.  MedFleet has focused largely on interfacility transports, providing a needed service in the Western and Central regions of Florida.  MedFleet is based in New Port Richey, Florida and has multiple contracts with the area’s hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

About PatientCare

PatientCare EMS Solutions is a leading provider of ground-based 911 emergency ambulance services and other critical healthcare logistics solutions. The company operates growing partnerships with representative customers in Florida, Texas, Indiana, South Dakota, Mississippi, and New York. PatientCare is responsible for transporting nearly 400,000 patients annually and is committed to providing compassionate quality care and service built around the needs of the patients and communities in which it serves.

Media Contact:  Kim Lacina

klacina@medfleet.com, 727.849.6849

Tyler, Texas and New Port Richey, Florida (February 12, 2020) - PatientCare Logistics Solutions (PatientCare), a leading provider of ground-based 911 emergency ambulance and other critical healthcare logistics services has acquired MedFleet Ambulance Service (MedFleet) of New Port Richey, FL. MedFleet is a leading provider of advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) ambulance, as well as stretcher services, primarily related to interfacility medical transports for patients in Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas and Polk Counties. 

MedFleet will continue to operate under its well-known brand and with the same dedicated team of over 130 employees who transport more than 30,000 patients per year. PatientCare will support MedFleet with its best-in-class technology and resources to expand services and enhance back office, human resources and other critical functions.  

“We recognize the valuable role MedFleet plays in the communities it serves and we are excited to partner with a well-established, successful operator in the Western and Central regions of Florida,” said Herman Schwarz, CEO of PatientCare.  “An essential component of our acquisition strategy is to partner with family owned ambulance providers like MedFleet where the family wants to stay involved in the business, is looking to expand services to their communities and can serve as a regional foundation for further growth.  In addition, this acquisition complements our existing Florida operations and offers us a stronger market position in the interfacility ambulance service in the area which is also a key element of our growth plan.”

MedFleet represents an expansion of PatientCare’s footprint in the Southeastern United States.  This acquisition further strengthens PatientCare’s portfolio which covers a variety of geographies in the Northeast, Central, Midwestern and Southeastern United States.

About PatientCare

PatientCare Logistics Solutions is a leading provider of ground-based 911 emergency ambulance services and other critical healthcare logistics solutions. The company operates growing partnerships with representative customers in Florida, Texas, Indiana, South Dakota, Mississippi and New York. PatientCare is responsible for transporting more than 350,000 patients annually and is committed to providing compassionate quality care and service built around the needs of the patients and communities in which it serves. 

About MedFleet 

Since its inception in 1973, MedFleet has been committed to providing BLS ambulance service and over the years has expanded services into ALS level transports in its geographic coverage area of Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas and Polk Counties in Florida.  MedFleet has focused largely on interfacility transports, providing a needed service in the Western and Central regions of Florida. MedFleet is based in New Port Richey, Florida and has multiple contracts with the area’s hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

Randy White
National Health Transport
Miami, FL
2020 Florida Star of Life

Randy White began as a Dispatcher with National Health Transport in 2016. Randy has since achieved his long-term goal of becoming a Paramedic, then again added to his accomplishments by becoming a Senior Specialty Care Transport Paramedic. He is known by his peers to be a quiet, motivated individual who is always willing to help and to share his experiences with new Paramedics.

In December 2018, while on an overnight shift in Miami-Dade County, Randy and his partner, Sandro Gordillo, were first to respond to an impaired driver incapacitated in a ditch. Without hesitation, Randy and Sandro pulled over to assist the driver, who was trapped in the vehicle and appeared to be unconscious from a major head injury. After prying the car doors open without any extrication tools, they began to assess the patient and determined that immediate help was needed.

They acted quickly and summoned for the help of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, which arrived on the scene, extricated the driver with the Jaws of Life, and airlifted the patient to the trauma center. Without the life-saving actions of Randy and Sandro, the driver would have remained on the road all night without help. We are proud to nominate Randy as a 2020 Florida Star of Life!

Sandro Gordillo
National Health Transport
Miami, FL
2020 Florida Star of Life

Sandro Gordillo started at National Health Transport (NHT) in 2015 as a Dispatcher. During his tenure at NHT, Sandro has excelled through the ranks, earning his EMT license in 2018. He has also served as an Elite Dispatcher and Senior EMT, and is currently the lead QA Officer in the Quality Assurance Department. Sandro is very highly regarded by his peers.

In December 2018, while on an overnight shift in Miami-Dade County, Sandro and his partner, Randy White, were first to respond to an impaired driver incapacitated in a ditch. Without hesitation, Sandro and Randy pulled over to assist the driver who was trapped in the vehicle and appeared to be unconscious from a major head injury. After prying the car doors open without any extrication tools, they began to assess the patient and determined that immediate help was needed.

They acted quickly and summoned for the help of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, which arrived on the scene, extricated the driver with the Jaws of Life and airlifted the patient to the trauma center. Without the life-saving actions of Sandro and Randy, the driver would have remained on the road all night without help. For this response, and much more, we are proud to nominate Sandro as a 2020 Florida Star of Life!

Gerry Lint
Lifeguard Ambulance Service
Milton, FL
2020 Florida Star of Life

Gerry Lint has been employed by Lifeguard Ambulance since the first day they started operating in Santa Rosa County on August 1, 2007, and he has been a paramedic since September of 2004. Gerry has worked in various positions during this time, including Lieutenant, Captain, and his current position as a Paramedic Field Training Officer (FTO). During his tenure with Lifeguard Ambulance, Gerry has touched many lives while mentoring countless EMTs, Paramedic students, and newly hired Paramedics. His quiet confidence, humble wisdom, and experience is invaluable to the leadership, crew, and citizens of Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Gerry has been recognized by his peers as an outstanding leader and mentor. He is a true professional, providing the highest quality patient care on routine and critical calls. His prehospital care is far beyond the standard and assisting agencies on scene are proud to work with him.

Outside of work, Gerry enjoys family life with his wife of 30 years, Melissa, who is also a Paramedic at Lifeguard Ambulance. Gerry also enjoys woodworking and welding. Prior to becoming a Paramedic, Gerry enjoyed a 20-year career in the Air Force and served as the Director of the Special Olympics in Mississippi. He also served briefly as a Police Officer with Milton Police Department and was a volunteer Firefighter with Pace Fire Department.

Gerry, it is our pleasure and privilege to work alongside you and to nominate you as the 2020 Star of Life for the Florida Ambulance Association.