WALTON COUNTY FIRE RESCUE BECOMES SECOND IN THE STATE TO EARN GOLD TIER PEDIATRIC READINESS RECOGNITION
Walton County Fire Rescue (WCFR) has achieved a major milestone in emergency medical care, becoming only the second agency in Florida to receive the Florida PEDReady Gold tier recognition for pediatric readiness. This prestigious designation, awarded by the Florida Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) State Partnership Program, highlights WCFR’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care for children in emergency situations.
The Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Program (PRRP) was developed in collaboration with state and national organizations to ensure EMS agencies are prepared to care for critically ill and injured children. The Gold tier represents the highest level of pediatric preparedness, recognizing agencies that have dedicated pediatric care coordinators, specialized equipment, and comprehensive training programs for their teams.
“This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to ensuring that every child in our community receives the best possible emergency care,” said Fire Chief Austin Pugh. “We are incredibly proud to be the second agency in Florida to achieve this Gold tier status. It reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and the safety of our youngest patients.”
To earn the Gold tier status, WCFR met rigorous criteria, including having a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, ensuring proper pediatric-specific equipment and training for EMS personnel, participating in disaster preparedness exercises that include children, and implementing policies that focus on pediatric safety and quality improvement. These efforts align with national best practices established by leading healthcare and emergency response organizations.
The Florida EMSC State Partnership Program, housed at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, works with emergency medical services, hospitals, and public health agencies to improve pediatric care across the state. The program is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and plays a crucial role in advancing pediatric emergency readiness in Florida.
With this achievement, Walton County Fire Rescue continues to set the standard for pediatric emergency care, ensuring that children in the community receive the highest level of medical attention when they need it most.
