History
Emergency Medical Services in Volusia County, like most areas throughout the nation, evolved over the years with its formal start in 1972 and the graduation of the first class of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from Florida Technological University (FTU - now the University of Central Florida). The county at that time was served by several funeral homes and a private, for-profit EMS provider (Beacon Ambulance) under contract with the county.During this formative period in Volusia County's EMS history, an EMS Advisory Council was established by the Volusia County Council to advise that governing body on EMS issues. The EMS Advisory Council was made up of physicians, nurses, administrators, lay persons, law enforcement, and EMTs (and later Paramedics).
With the passage of the Florida EMS Act of 1972 the funeral homes discontinued ambulance service leaving Beacon Ambulance as the only countywide ambulance service provider. In 1974, the City of Daytona Beach Fire Department started the first Basic Life Support Fire/Rescue unit in the county, thereby initiating the first step in a two-tiered system in the county. A year later (1975), Beacon Ambulance and Daytona Beach Fire/Rescue initiated Advance Life Support service with Paramedics. The Florida EMS Act of 1976 implemented a statewide standard of Basic Life Support with EMTs and Advanced Life Support with Paramedics.
In 1980, the City of Daytona Beach sued Volusia County for authority to initiate ambulance transportation services within the city. Both local courts and the 5th District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Volusia County.
A year later (1981) Beacon Ambulance ceased operation and was replaced by the private, non-profit service of the Emergency Medical Foundation, Inc. d/b/a EVAC Ambulance. The Board of Directors of the Foundation mirrored the previous EMS Advisory Council with representatives from all facets of the EMS and health care community and other organizations (legal, CPA, county government, etc).
Since 1972 Volusia County has had a single contract and a single ambulance provider making ambulance service the ONLY countywide service available regardless of geographic or political boundaries.