Sunstar Paramedics operates in a dual-response system with 18 fire agencies in the county.

While the dual-response approach has many benefits, it can also create challenges when separate agencies work closely together. Pinellas public-safety leaders recognized one of these challenges—locating needed supplies from other responders’ bags when on scene—as the local fire departments and Sunstar worked together on calls.

Sunstar Paramedics and each of the 18 fire agencies previously designed and stocked their own response bags. And because they often used each other’s supplies on scene, finding necessary materials could sometimes hinder the fastest possible care.

After recognizing it as a challenge, the Pinellas County EMS and Fire Administration began to evaluate the possibility of creating uniform response bags for use by all first responders in the system.

Read more about how Sunstar Paramedics, along with the Pinellas County EMS and Fire Administration designed uniform response bags.