Harvey Craven, Director • 863-519-7409 • Email
General Office: 863-519-7400
Bullding 250 - Suite 11 - Bartow Municipal Airport • Bartow, FL 33830 • Map
Hours of Operation: M-F 8AM - 5PM
The mission of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division is “Develop, Manage and Deliver Efficient and Effective Prehospital Treatment and Transportation of the Highest Professional Quality.” The Division responds to all 911 emergency medical calls and provides the only paramedic ambulance (EMS) service within Polk County. The Division operates a total of 29 paramedic ambulances around the clock, as well as 3 Peak Load paramedic ambulances, from 22 stations throughout the county.
The Division responds to approximately 75,000 events yearly serving a population of over 580,000. Each ambulance carries the latest state of the art emergency medical equipment, and through the EMS Medical Director cutting edge prehospital medical treatment and transportation are provided for all citizens and visitors.
The EMS Division is also the lead agency in coordination of the countywide Paramedic Response Vehicle Program for the County Fire Services Division and City Fire Departments. This program places Fire Fighter Paramedics in fire vehicles (engines, rescue trucks) that respond to critical emergencies. The Fire Department Paramedics work hand-in-hand with EMS Paramedics to deliver the very best prehospital care. Currently there are a total of 17 fire department paramedic response vehicles. These vehicles are located in three cities (Lake Wales (1), Lakeland (6), Winter Haven (2) as well as 8 vehicles located throughout the unincorporated area of the county.
The EMS Division is funded totally through property tax revenue. The Division has a user fee structure in order to provide billing and revenue collection after services have been provided. The current user fees were established and approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2007. Please contact our main administrative offices if further information is desired.