Join us in exploring the evolution of fire-based EMS service delivery and the significant changes in the EMS environment that are driving innovation in fire-based EMS. The fire service has much to learn from the evolution of high-performance EMS systems, public utility models and other single-mission system designs—and many fire departments are embracing these advances.

We’ll review the challenges to current system designs that have threatened sustainability in an unsubsidized market, such as living wage legislation, restricted and capitated revenue structures, and revenue compression.

• How the lessons of high-performance EMS systems can—and should—be applied to fire-based models
• Innovative approaches fire departments have used to address staffing shortages
• What metrics you need to be looking at—and which ones are leading you astray

Steve Knight, PhD, is a partner with Fitch & Associates and leads the firm’s fire service consulting. He previously served with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, rising the ranks before retiring as assistant chief. Ian Womack has served as Division Chief overseeing EMS for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue since 2014, and also has helped many other departments evaluate and improve their EMS operations. They will be joined by Kevin Preston, Assistant Fire Chief for the Orlando Fire Department; Jerry Smith, Director, Office of EMS at Lake County Board of County Commissioners; and Samuel Peña, Chief of the Houston Fire Department.