The American Ambulance Association awarded the 2015 AMBY Award in the public relations category to Sunstar Paramedics for its “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” public safety campaign in Pinellas County.

Sunstar Paramedics, which is the ambulance transportation provider for Pinellas County, created “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” in 2013 to raise awareness in Pinellas County about preventable accidents and injuries. The campaign uses social media, media outreach and articles on the Sunstar Paramedics website to provide important information and tips for pedestrian and bicycle safety, child passenger safety, boat and water safety, and fire safety.

“Being the first on many accident scenes, Sunstar Paramedics sees what happens when people make risky decisions that cause an accident, like crossing at the middle of a street or texting while driving. We’re providing practical safety tips to help people avoid preventable accidents,” said Mark Postma, chief operating officer of Sunstar Paramedics. “We are proud to see this safety campaign be recognized by a leading organization in the emergency medical services industry.”

The AMBY Awards recognize excellence in the emergency medical services (EMS) profession, and showcase creativity and innovation in the ambulance industry by fostering a culture of collaboration, cooperation and a passion for excellence in patient care. AMBY recipients are honored for their ingenuity, commitment to excellence, and willingness to share their best practices with their peers.

“We are honored to recognize the leaders in our industry that demonstrate a commitment to improving the services provided to their communities,” said Mike Hall, president of the American Ambulance Association.

The award was presented to Sunstar Paramedics on November 2, 2015 at the AAA Annual Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About American Ambulance Association

The American Ambulance Association represents organizations serving over 75% of the U.S. population with emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation services.  Founded in 1979, AAA promotes health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provides research, education, and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve. For more information about the AAA visit their website at www.the-aaa.org.