VDPS Fire Department Article

Advancing Emergency Medical Care Through Innovation, Readiness and Service

Emergency medical services are at the center of The Villages Public Safety Department’s mission. As our community continues to grow, VPSD remains focused on providing residents with rapid access to advanced, hospital-level emergency medical care while maintaining the fire suppression, rescue and specialized response capabilities necessary to support a comprehensive public safety system.

The importance of EMS is reflected in our daily workload. During May, VPSD responded to 2,496 incidents, including 1,845 emergency medical calls. EMS-related responses accounted for approximately 74% of the department’s total call volume. Our ambulances transported 1,521 patients during the month, bringing the fiscal year-to-date total to 12,800 patient transports.

VPSD is also committed to advancing the level of medical care available before a patient reaches the hospital. Our prehospital blood program allows specially trained paramedics to administer lifesaving blood products directly to critically ill or injured patients. Since the program began, 30 patients have received blood products in the field.

This capability is especially important because patients experiencing severe blood loss can deteriorate within minutes. Bringing blood directly to the patient allows treatment to begin sooner and provides our paramedics with another critical tool to improve survival.

Our Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit continues to provide emergency department-level stroke care directly at the patient’s side. The unit can perform advanced diagnostic testing and begin time-sensitive treatment before arriving at the hospital. During May, the unit responded to 87 calls and completed four acute interventions, including three administrations of clot-busting medication and one reversal of an intracranial hemorrhage. Since entering service, the unit has responded to 899 calls.

To strengthen our capabilities, VPSD recently welcomed 18 new team members, including two single-certification paramedics, five firefighter-paramedics and 11 firefighter-EMTs. These professionals will support the department’s ability to respond to increasing medical demand while maintaining reliable emergency coverage throughout the community.

VPSD’s fire engines and command vehicles are also equipped and staffed to provide advanced life support care. This integrated deployment model allows the closest appropriately trained personnel to begin medical assessment and treatment while an ambulance is responding or transporting another patient. Our fire suppression, rescue and technical response capabilities further support our mission by providing personnel, equipment and specialized assistance during vehicle crashes, hazardous incidents, technical rescues and other complex emergencies.

Preparedness also depends on continued training and strong regional partnerships. On June 9, VPSD and Sumter County Fire & EMS celebrated the opening of a shared Joint Training Center and Emergency Shelter. The facility includes a four-story training tower, adaptable training environments and a 25,444-square-foot emergency shelter capable of accommodating approximately 900 people.

Our personnel completed more than 5,000 hours of fire, EMS and technical rescue training during May. This investment ensures our firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics remain prepared to provide safe, professional and compassionate care during medical emergencies and other incidents requiring specialized assistance.

Every investment we make, whether in personnel, ambulances, advanced medical technology, response vehicles or training, is centered on improving emergency medical care and protecting the health and safety of our residents. The men and women of VPSD remain committed to providing an advanced, responsive and dependable EMS system supported by strong fire, rescue and emergency response capabilities.

Brian Twiss
Fire Chief
The Villages Public Safety Department