Florida Agency Takes Aim at Reducing Pediatric Mortality
At one time, North Port, Florida, was experiencing higher than normal pediatric mortality rates compared to other cities of the same size and population. North Port Fire Rescue (NPFR)’s comprehensive approach to mitigating that was a driving factor to its being awarded Gold Tier status in the Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program, making it the first fire department in the state to receive the prestigious designation.
The recognition highlights NPFR’s dedication to providing the highest level of emergency medical care for pediatric patients, ensuring children in the community receive specialized, high-quality prehospital treatment.
The program is administered through the Florida Emergency Medical Services for Children (FLEMSC) program, which operates under the University of Florida College of Medicine at Jacksonville. FLEMSC operates through a collaborative partnership between the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight and the University of Florida College of Medicine at Jacksonville.
sThe Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program evaluates EMS agencies on their training, equipment, protocols, and ability to respond to pediatric medical emergencies effectively. Gold Tier represents the highest level of achievement, recognizing NPFR’s exceptional commitment to pediatric emergency care, continuous training, and disaster preparedness.
Shortly after arriving at NPFR in August 2021, EMS Division Chief Brian Gorski said he received a phone call from All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, and from the Safe Kids Coalition regarding concerns over the higher-than-normal pediatric mortality rate in North Port and that previous EMS leadership was offered assistance but never took advantage of the offer.
“I immediately partnered with these agencies and over the next three years, we began working in three main areas: community education for prevention; increased level of training for our EMTs and paramedics; and pediatric equipment,” he said.
NPFD started off by conducting an open house in November 2021 for pediatric illness/injury prevention, distributing child car safety seats and prevention materials. Staff assisted in the installing/inspection of more than 60 safety seats. The event attracted more than 200 adults with children.
Before summer 2022, NPFD partnered with the Safe Kids Coalition, All Children’s Hospital, and the Sarasota County Fire Department to write press releases regarding drowning prevention and went door-to-door, distributing drowning prevention material, especially in areas of the community experiencing a higher-than-normal pediatric drowning mortality rate. The program, “Stay Vigilant Initiative—Together We Can Stop Accidental Drowning,” became an ongoing initiative.
“In addition, throughout the year we are in the schools providing prevention education as well as showing off our equipment that is used in saving lives and protecting property,” Gorski said. “We have also done numerous talks/demonstrations over bleeding control and hands-only CPR throughout the year.”
Achieving the Florida PEDReady Gold Tier involves comprehensive assessments of a department's pediatric emergency capabilities. This includes evaluations of staff training, availability of specialized equipment, implementation of pediatric-specific protocols, and overall preparedness to handle pediatric emergencies effectively. Departments must demonstrate excellence in these areas to attain the Gold Tier status, said Captain Nick Satterly, NPFR quality assurance/quality improvement officer.
Satterly noted NPFR has made significant strides in enhancing its pediatric emergency response, reflecting its commitment to excellence in every aspect of its service. “Our crews continuously strive to be exceptional in all that we do, and this dedication extends to ensuring the highest standards of care for our youngest patients,” he said. “Every member of our team is trained in pediatric emergency care, equipping them with the expertise and confidence to handle critical situations involving children.”
Satterly noted that because treating children requires a unique skill set, NPFR incorporates regular hands-on training, scenario-based simulations, and ongoing education into its training programs. “Our crews participate in specialized pediatric-focused courses, including advanced airway management, trauma care, and medical emergencies specific to infants and children,” he said. “In addition to structured training, we stay up to date with the latest best practices and protocols by working closely with medical experts, pediatric specialists, and organizations like the Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition. We also conduct frequent reviews of our pediatric emergency protocols to ensure they align with current standards.”
Since NPFR is an all-ALS service, all personnel are continually trained in all aspects of EMS care. “This comprehensive training ensures that every staff member is equipped to respond to medical emergencies, including those involving pediatric patients,” Satterly said. “This dual certification underscores NPFR's commitment to providing holistic emergency services to the community.
Since 2022, NPFR has held courses in neonatal resuscitation, taught by staff from All Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). “We included all personnel in these training sessions,” Gorski said. “We also had all employees go through the Handtevy Pediatric Training course that included training on their equipment and the use of the Handtevy app. We required all employees to go through hands-on training over the reasons for proper immobilization of newborns through adolescence during transport with the Ferno’s KangooFix, NeoMate, and Pedi-Mate transport immobilization devices.”
In addition to those devices, all the agency’s ambulances include built-in safety seats contained within the captain’s chair. Hands-on training for the device was also provided to personnel.
NPFR has participated each year since 2021 with Sarasota Memorial North Port ER & Care Center in hands-on training events focused on normal/abnormal childbirths. In summer 2023, the Safe Kids Coalition conducted a 40-hour training course for seven of its personnel to become child safety seat installers/inspectors.
“Soon after completing this program, we added to our website that we now operate this program and do offer free child car seats which are donated by All Children’s and the Safe Kids Coalition,” Gorski said.
Preparedness extends beyond training, Satterly noted. NPFD has invested in state-of-the-art pediatric-specific equipment and developed protocols that prioritize the unique needs of children during emergencies.
“Since we needed to advance our pediatric equipment, we needed funding, so I immediately partnered with the Southwest Health Coalition and wrote numerous grants, which all were approved,” Gorski said. “The Southwest Health Coalition purchased our Ferno pediatric transport immobilization devices, the Handtevy training course, Handtevy pediatric system, and the Handtevy app that is contained on the rescue’s iPad and smart phone for ALS non-transport apparatus.”
All of NPFR’s pediatric protocols were also revised to reflect changes in providing care to pediatric patients that reflects the use of the Handtevy pediatric system, Gorski said. “Additionally, EMS policies were either revised or developed over the use of the pediatric transport immobilization devices.”
“We ensure that our apparatus are equipped with state-of-the-art pediatric-specific medical equipment and that our personnel are confident in using it,” Satterly said. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide the highest level of care in every situation, giving our youngest patients the best chance at positive outcomes. By emphasizing continuous learning and readiness, we enhance not just our pediatric response but also the overall safety and well-being of our entire community.
“This comprehensive approach is a testament to our unwavering pursuit of excellence, not only in pediatric care but in every call we respond to. Whether it's a routine medical transport or a high-acuity pediatric emergency, our crews stand ready to deliver the highest level of service with professionalism, compassion, and skill.”
That hard work has paid off, Gorski said. The resulting success is being the first EMS agency in the state of Florida to have submitted its application for Florida’s new Prehospital Pediatric Readiness program at the ‘Gold Tier,’ he said.
“Another success will be the reduction in pediatric mortality,” he added. “We track pediatric outcomes on high acuity. However, the data was mixed with adult data. We now have isolated and track this data separately and will be able to better track trends and outcome status of our pediatric patients.”
“This recognition is a testament to our department’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of North Port’s youngest residents,” said Fire Chief Scott Titus. “Achieving Gold Tier status reflects the hard work and dedication of our personnel in ensuring that every child we treat receives the best possible care.”
The award brings the crews an “incredible sense of pride” Satterly said. “It signifies that our efforts to provide the highest standard of care for our youngest and most vulnerable patients have set a new benchmark for EMS agencies across the state. We don’t just aim to meet expectations—we strive to exceed them in every call, every response, and every life we touch. This honor motivates us to continue pushing forward, ensuring that we remain leaders in pediatric emergency care and all aspects of EMS service. Receiving this recognition as the first fire department in the state of Florida to achieve the Florida PED Ready Gold Tier status is an incredible honor for North Port Fire Rescue. It serves as a powerful validation of our unwavering commitment to excellence in the most critical aspects of EMS care – particularly in pediatric emergency response.”
Beyond the award, the achievement is a “reflection of the dedication, skill, and relentless pursuit of improvement by our entire department,” Satterly said. “It reaffirms that the countless hours of training, investment in specialized equipment, and development of pediatric-specific protocols have made a tangible impact.”
For departments interested in developing a pediatric readiness program from scratch, Satterly recommends the following steps:
- Assessment: Evaluate current capabilities and identify gaps in pediatric emergency care.
- Training: Implement comprehensive training programs for all staff, focusing on pediatric emergency protocols and care techniques.
- Equipment: Invest in specialized equipment designed for pediatric patients to ensure appropriate care during emergencies.
- Protocols: Develop and implement pediatric-specific emergency response protocols, ensuring they are integrated into the department's standard operating procedures.
- Partnerships: Collaborate with organizations like FLEMSC to access resources, training, and support.
- Continuous improvement: Establish a system for regular review and updates of training programs, equipment, and protocols to adapt to evolving best practices in pediatric care.
