Lake-Sumter EMS Provider of the Year

Lake-Sumter EMS Honored By State As Outstanding EMS Provider Of The Year

Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services has been named Florida’s 2008 EMS Provider of the Year by the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The award honors the state’s outstanding EMS service. Consideration is given to achievement in areas of quality assurance/improvement, patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education and/or training in Florida. The winner must also successfully implement a program or initiative that supports the fulfillment of the Florida EMS Strategic Plan.  Lake-Sumter EMS went beyond this requirement, demonstrating how its programs and departments offer services which support all of the State Strategic Plan’s goals.

In addition to consistently excellent response times and quality of care, Lake-Sumter EMS, was recognized for service to the community, its many innovative educational programs, state-of-the-art technology advances and an exemplary communications center which not only dispatches emergency medical calls for Lake and Sumter counties but also for 11 local fire departments.

One educational program which is catching the attention of Lake and Sumter residents, along with EMS agencies around the country, is the “When to Call 911” public awareness campaign which includes an educational website (www.Whentocall911.com).  This campaign, which includes educational materials, advertising, posters, and the website, is a bold step in educating people on how to make the right call in an emergency.

“Part of the focus of this campaign is to help people know who, how and when to call for help in an emergency, what to do while waiting for the ambulance, and what information should be gathered to help emergency personnel when they arrive on the scene,” said Jim Judge, Executive Director of Lake-Sumter EMS.  “We also want to help people understand that any time emergency vehicles are tied up on non-emergency calls, there could be a delay in response time to a life-threatening emergency.  We studied the hundreds of non-emergent calls we were receiving, and identified why we were getting these calls. The When to Call 911 program helps address these issues in a positive, informational way. We believe this will help save lives, too,” added Judge.

Lake-Sumter EMS puts into action its motto “In rhythm with our community through a diverse cross-section of community involvement.  Staff, from the executive director on down through the ranks, devote hundreds of hours each year to serving the community through charitable events such as the March of Dimes Walk America and leadership roles with many local organizations such as United Way, Leadership Lake County, the Lake-Sumter Community College Foundation and many other non-profit entities.

Another innovative community initiative which has received accolades is the Lake-Sumter EMS Well-Check Program.  Started in 2002, the Well-Check Program is a home-based wellness service that reaches out to over 150 rural home-bound community residents.  Staffed by agency paramedics who make home visits and provide blood pressure checks, blood glucose monitoring, patient assessments and health education, the program provides an important link between these patients and the medical community. As the Secretary for the Department of Elder Affairs stated at a Lake County forum, “The Lake-Sumter EMS Well-Check Program is one of the best outreach programs for senior citizens in the state of Florida.”

In summarizing the agency’s pride at receiving this statewide EMS award, Jim Judge explained that this honor is not the result of a single person’s efforts but rather it’s the culmination of over seven years of hard work not only on the part of the Lake-Sumter EMS staff but also the tireless dedication of the Lake-Sumter EMS Board of Directors.  Jim Judge remarked, “The agency would not have achieved the success it has without the unwavering support of the Lake and Sumter County Boards of County Commissioners, law enforcement entities, fire rescue departments and so many other community supporters like yourself.  All of these people have played a key role in making Lake-Sumter EMS what it is today and deserve tremendous credit for building our EMS system which has now been recognized as one of the best in the state of Florida.”

The award will be presented at 5:30 p.m., July 9 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. The ceremony will also recognize outstanding individuals including the EMT, Paramedic and EMS nurse of the year.  For more information on the State EMS awards program and dinner, please contact John Bixler, Bureau Chief, or Lisa Walker, Florida Bureau of EMS at 850-245-4440.

Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2000 by Lake and Sumter Counties to provide quality, community-based EMS services.  The agency operates 27 Advanced Life Support units from stations located throughout both Lake and Sumter counties.  The company is governed by a Board of Directors headed by Chairman Welton G. Cadwell.  Jim Judge serves as Executive Director with administrative offices located at 2761 W. Old Highway 441 in Mount Dora, Florida.  Contact Mr. Judge at 352-383-4554 or 352-516-1532.