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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Emergency Medical Services for Children
Contact the Florida Department of Health
- 850-245-4440
- EMS@flhealth.gov
-
Mailing Address
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin A22
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Florida Emergency Medical Services for Children
The purpose of the Florida Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) State Partnership Program is to expand and improve emergency medical services (EMS) for ill and injured children across the continuum of care. Florida EMSC partners with emergency departments (EDs), EMS agencies, disaster preparedness organizations, state organizations, and families to enhance pediatric readiness across the state. Florida EMSC is administered by the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville (UFCOM-J) Department of Emergency Medicine Division of Emergency Medicine Research.
The Florida EMSC State Partnership Program is a collaboration between the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight (BEMO), UFCOM-J, Florida EMSC Advisory Committee, Florida EMS Advisory Council (EMSAC), and Florida EMSC Family Advisory Network (FAN).
The EMSC Program is partially supported by the HRSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a state EMSC partnership program award. The contents of this web page do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government.
Florida EMSC Advisory Committee
The Florida EMSC Advisory Committee was established in section 401.245(5), Florida Statutes, to advise DOH on matters concerning preventative, prehospital, hospital, rehabilitative, and other post medical care for children.
The Florida EMSC Advisory Committee meets quarterly in conjunction with the Florida EMSAC and constituency group meetings. The Florida EMSC Advisory Committee includes appointed members, liaisons, and partners.
National Pediatric Readiness Project
The National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) aims to empower EDs to improve their ability to provide high-quality care for children.
The NPRP is led by the EMSC Program, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association.
An assessment, checklist, and toolkit are available on the Florida EMSC website.
National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project
The National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP) works to improve prehospital care for acutely ill and injured children.
The PPRP is led by the federal EMSC Program, along with more than 30 national organizations and stakeholders.
An assessment, checklist, and toolkit are available on the Florida EMSC website.
Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program
Launched in January 2025, the Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program (PRRP) recognizes EMS and fire-rescue agencies who demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing pediatric emergency care, education, and disaster preparedness. The program is composed of two tiers: Florida PEDReady Silver and Florida PEDReady Gold. Each tier has select criteria that must be met. The Florida Prehospital PRRP is voluntary.
The Florida Prehospital PRRP is based on national consensus recommendations from the EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC) National PRRPs Collaborative, the 2020 Joint Policy Statement: Pediatric Readiness in Emergency Medical Services Systems, and other established state recognition programs. The Florida Prehospital PRRP was developed in collaboration with the Florida EMSC Advisory Committee and EMS Pediatric Readiness Workgroup, Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors, Florida DOH BEMO Regional Coordinators, Florida EMS Medical Director, and other state organizations. The program is funded in part by the HRSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a State EMSC Partnership Program Award.
To learn more about the program, visit the Florida EMSC website.
National EMSC Program Websites
Resources
- Communication Cards (available in English/Spanish and English/Haitian Creole)
- Modified JumpSTART and START Badge Buddy
- Pediatric Emergency ABCs and More
- Pediatric Pain and Fever Dosing Guide (available as a magnet)
- Ready Wrigley Prepares for Hurricanes Educational Activity Book (available in English and Spanish)
To request Florida EMSC educational materials or to submit your name as a prehospital or ED pediatric emergency care coordinator/champion (PECC) for your facility, email PEDReady@jax.ufl.edu.
Florida EMSC Updates
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