Field Operations
At Sunstar, over 300 highly skilled EMTs and Paramedics are employed to
provide care and transportation to the citizens of Pinellas County. Our
compassionate caregivers respond to approximately 156,000 calls for service each
year, resulting in about 107,000 transports. We are the exclusive transport
providers for 9-1-1 service, and non- emergency care. We provide many other
specialty services such as long distance transports and community standby
coverage. Please visit links to other pages to see all of the customized
services we render.
Our high performance system is staffed with various shift types to assure
adequate response times day and night. We encourage higher education by offering
a premium to our staff for obtaining certifications beyond the required State of
Florida certificate, such as National Registry. Educational support is provided
for EMTs to become Paramedics; all continuing medical education is provided in
house through a local college, and complete uniforms are provided to keep our
team members looking sharp!
Our fleet of 55 advanced life support ambulances is replaced (by contract)
every 5 years to assure state of the art, reliable vehicles, for transportation
of the sick and injured. Support vehicles operated by EMT and Paramedic
certified Supervisors are also in the field 24 hours a day.
At Sunstar we are committed to providing leading edge out of hospital
clinical care. For example, all patients believed to be having a heart attack
will receive a 12-lead EKG, with Paramedic interpretation and treatment in the
field. This treatment previously would be reserved for care only once in the
emergency room. Early diagnosis and intervention is often literally lifesaving!
This is just one example of the progressive medical care the community enjoys
due to twenty-four hour, on-line medical direction under the exceptional
leadership of Dr. Laurie Romig.
Beyond a newer fleet of ambulances, and expensive diagnostic equipment, at
Sunstar it is the people who truly make the difference. Our dedicated EMTs and
Paramedics participate in decisions that impact every aspect of the
organization. Focus groups have input on everything from deciding what features
to have on new ambulances, to distribution of workload. This empowered
environment produces exceptional patient care, and contributes the best
experience possible in your time of need.
Often people call to thank our staff for "a job well done," and ask
what they can do to say, "thank you." The answer is similar each time.
Please pull to the closest curb when an emergency vehicle is approaching, always
wear your seatbelt, and always supervise your children in or around water. These
are three simple things everyone can do to keep the "lifesavers," as
well as you and your loved ones safe!
If you have any questions or comments about Operations at Sunstar, please
write to us by clicking on the info at Sunstar button. We always enjoy hearing
from you.
Panorama of Inside Rear of Sunstar Ambulance
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