The goal of Leon County Emergency Medical Services [LCEMS] is to provide the best service available and become one of the finest EMS systems in the country.

Ambulance coverage: 671 square miles
Call volume: over 30,000 calls in 2010
Ambulances:  19

LCEMS Offices:(850)606-2100 
Dispatch Control Center:(850)921-0900
Fax:(850)921-4100 Control Center

Mission

The Leon County EMS Division exists to provide clinically superior, compassionate, cost-effective emergency medical services to all citizens and visitors of Leon County; regardless of social economic status, utilizing the latest technologies and medical care standards within the bounds of available resources.

Values and Vision

Leadership – All team members must be leaders in everything they do and say. LCEMS cannot move into the forefront of EMS without using the leadership capabilities of everyone. If all team members see themselves as leaders, there will be no limit to our success.

Change – We must not fear change. We must embrace it and not mistake opportunities as obstacles. Opportunity is simply an obstacle waiting to be conquered.

Excellence – All team members must strive to excel in every aspect of their position, remembering that “good enough,” isn’t. LCEMS can’t become the finest EMS system in the nation by accepting “second best.”

Mission – Team members can never lose sight of our mission…to provide clinically superior, compassionate, cost-effective emergency medical services to all citizens and visitors of Leon County, regardless of social economic status, utilizing the latest technologies and medical care standards within the bounds of available resources.

Service – Service is the most commonly missed word in our title. Team members must never forget that we are public servants. We work for the citizens of Leon County and are paid, in part, by their tax dollars. Although there are layers of management and elected officials to whom we must report, remember that our “employers” are the citizens. Treat them with the respect, understanding and compassion that they deserve.
 

Personnel

There are over 100 employees working for Leon County EMS, including the chief, the medical director, the deputy chief in charge of operations, the deputy chief in charge of administration, six supervisors (captains), 88 field personnel including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and FTO's (sergeants), four EMS system controllers (lieutenants), two administrative assistants, a billing coordinator, the MIS systems coordinator, two supply technicians, and a training/quality assurance coordinator (major).   

Operation Model

LCEMS uses fixed stations and System Status Management which matches supply with demand, improving response times and patient care.

The program utilizes:

• Three 24-hour/7-day a week ambulances deployed at three Leon County fire stations (Chaires, Woodville, Fort Braden )

• No fewer than eight ambulances deployed system-wide and thirteen ambulances during peak times. (Unincorporated and Incorporated Leon County)

• Five to ten ambulances deployed in the incorporated area with 12-hour shifts using a peak-load staffing and flexible deployment concept. This allows for an increased number of ambulances during times when the need for services is higher and decreased staffing during historically low activity.

• This model allows for dynamic deployment as resources are adjusted to meet the call demand pattern and the changing level of available resources.

• Full-time field personnel work mostly 12 hour shifts on a rotating schedule.  There are also peak hour trucks that are staffed 9 hours at a time, Monday through Friday or 14 hours at a time on a seven day rotation.  The Fixed-Station units are staffed in a typical 24/48 hour rotation schedule.

Technology

Leon County EMS uses state-of-the art technology, including electronic ambulance reports, which allows for a more efficient tracking of patient conditions and treatment.

EMS personnel use an improved 800Mhz radio system that, when needed, allows for integrated communication between the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Fire Department, and the Tallahassee Police Department.

All ambulances are equipped with 12 lead EKG capabilities, allowing for advanced EKG readings of patients and the ability to transmit those readings to the hospital for early activation of cardiac catheterization labs for heart attack patients.  Leon County EMS also utilizes IO-drills, CPAP, Rapid Sequence Induction medications, and automated chest band CPR devices.

Vehicles

Leon County EMS utilizes medium duty ambulances primarily manufactured by Horton Emergency Vehicles out of Ohio and light duty ambulances manufactured by Frazer, Ltd out of Texas.  The fleet also includes a Chevy Suburban, three Ford Expeditions, two "Cart style" MERV's (Medical Emergency Response Vehicles) that are used at public events, games and parades, a Ford F-350 pick-up truck used for special operations, an oversize Special Operations vehicle complete with refueling capabilities, and two large trailers equipped for mass casualty situations.

Budget

The projected EMS budget for FY 2008-09 is $12,546,385 which is funded by a .5 millage Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU), approved by the Board in June, 2003.

EMS Facility

The EMS facility is co-located at the Leon County Public Works Operations Center at the corner of Miccosukee Rd and Blair Stone Rd, which provides easy north-south, east-west access, and is also conveniently located between Tallahassee’s two hospitals.

The facility was built on county-owned property providing a significant cost savings to taxpayers. There is also readily available space to expand and build a permanent facility in the future, upon Board approval.

The co-location allows access to fuel, mechanical service and equipment allowing for quick, convenient and efficient service.

EMS Dispatch Center

Located at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), the dispatch center operates as the control center for the entire EMS system. LCSO Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD) answer all 911 calls using a nationally recognized Medical Priority Dispatch Protocol. Dispatchers also keep EMS ambulances informed as they drive to the scene.

An LCEMS System Controller manages the movements of all ambulances in Leon County to avoid interruption of ambulance coverage and manages all non-emergency transports.

For Information about the history of Leon County EMS view the EMS Timeline.