May 21 - June 26 - EMSTARS Key User Workshops
Members of the EMSTARS Project Team in partnership with some of the Data Committee members facilitated EMSTARS Key User Workshops in 14 different cities throughout Florida.  The audience at the workshops varied from Key Users to participants that had limited knowledge of EMSTARS.

The workshops were very successful and the Project Team received great feedback.  Overall, there were approximately 180 participants and representation from approximately 110 agencies.  The Bureau of EMS and the EMSTARS Project Team thanks all of the providers who participated and appreciates the time and effort they have dedicated to this project.

The Bureau of EMS commends the committee members for taking the time out of their busy schedules to partner with the EMSTARS Project Team for the workshops.  The partnership and collaboration between the EMSTARS Project team, Data Committee representatives, and Pilot Program agencies was very beneficial at the workshops.  The representation and the interaction that the Data Committee members and the Pilot Program agencies provided during the workshops had a great impact on the success of the workshops.

The EMSTARS Project Team recognizes the following Data Committee members for thier leadership and commitment to the EMSTARS Key User Training Workshops and for taking part in the presentation of the information:

• Charles Moreland, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue
• Ken Devin, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue
• Steven LaRue, Hialeah Fire Rescue
• Art Garcia, Lee County EMS
• Mac Kemp, Leon County EMS
• Kathy Koch, Tampa General Aeromed
• Les Williams, Collier County EMS
• Joe Kanzler, Manatee County EMS
• Keith Cartwright, Reedy Creek Emergency Services

The Bureau of EMS thanks the following Data Committee members who participated in some of the workshops:

• Tom Burger, Putnam County EMS
• Tom Benton, University of Florida - Shands
• Dr. Nelson, Florida EMS Medical Director
• Raul Fernandez, City of Miami Fire Rescue
• Dave Holler, City of Pinellas Park Fire Department
• Tom Sheridan, Tamarac Fire Rescue
• Brian Beasley, Gadsden County EMS
• Jeff Barnard, Pinellas County Office of the Medical Director

May 3 - General Provider Listing
We have posted a list of all licensed EMS providers in the state, including some additional demographics information.  All of this data comes from the licensure process overseen by the DOH Division of Medical Quality Assurance.

May 3 - Grant Related Inquiries
In order to always provide you with the most efficient and effective information, we kindly ask that you refer all grant-related questions to Mr. Ed Wilson and his staff.  As the grants program continues to grow while we seek ever more and newer sources of funding, the EMSTARS project team or Data Unit staff will not always know the particulars of grant information including schedules, applications, scoring, notification, and awards.  When you have questions in this area, please consult the experts in Ed's section.

May 2 - Clarification on Reporting
There have been numerous questions over the last several months as to how the EMSTARS Program applies to EMS Providers.  As you know, this remains a voluntary program, its focus being on proving the worth of the system rather than mandating participation at the beginning of a new and very different method of reporting information.

The problem is that many providers do not believe EMSTARS "applies to them".  This feedback has been given repeatedly over the last few months in survey responses, direct contact with agencies, and, most recently, in trying to provide free web-based reporting services for small agencies.

The notion that "this doesn't apply to me" seems most prevalent in the Air-based services, highly specialized services such as neonatal or cardiac transport, private ambulance companies, and generally very small agencies with a small number of responses each year.

To clarify, all licensed EMS providers in Florida are required by law (Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code) to submit records to the Dept. of Health.  For the past several years, providers have had but one option:  the Prehospital Aggregate Data submitted quarterly.  Now, all providers are offered a new, better alternative in the EMSTARS Program.  Big, small, transport, non-transport, fire, county, private, hospital, air, ground...it doesn't matter.  All agencies have to report.  EMSTARS is one of your options.

We still have 6 free software packages that we can give away (via grant funds) to any provider whose annual response volume is less than 1,000.  It would be a shame to leave this money on the table.

In summary, EMSTARS applies to everyone.  For more information, please refer to Chief Bixler's explanations from September 2006 or feel free to contact Chief Bixler or Stephanie Daugherty at (850) 245-4440.

May 1 - New Data Dictionary Release
The Data Committee has released changes and upgrades to the Florida EMS Data Dictionary.  This release will be version 1.4 and will be implemented later this year.  All changes in this release were driven by issues encountered in pilot program testing.  Specific questions regarding a change or implementation timeframe may be directed to Juan Esparza.

Please forward any questions, comments, or suggestions to the  EMSTARS Project Team.

Data Committee Workshop 0708
Monday, July 7 from 8:00 to 4:30
Hilton Walt Disney World Resort

EMS Advisory Council @ CLINCON
July 8 - 10 in Orlando
The Rosen Centre Hotel

Data Committee Workshop 1108
November 4 - 6
Courtyard Lake Buena Vista