The New Year is here, and Escambia County EMS is encouraging residents to make learning CPR a top resolution for 2026.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is an emergency life-saving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Knowing CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. CPR helps keep blood flowing in the body, extending the opportunity for a successful resuscitation once trained medical staff arrive.

"As the Medical Director of Escambia County, I can say with full confidence that our EMS system has never been stronger," Dr. Benjamin Abo said. "We are restoring pulses after a cardiac arrest at a higher rate than ever before. This success does not begin with EMS; it begins with the person who knew and performed CPR. This New Year's, make a resolution that truly matters. Learn CPR and how to use an AED. You can be the difference between life and loss."

Escambia County EMS has more than quadrupled the success rate for getting a pulse back after cardiac arrest, jumping from 9.2% to 43.4% this year. The significant increase in the success rate is a result of the implementation of updated resuscitation protocols, which have been implemented at all levels of Escambia County EMS.

View Dr. Abo's message on making learning CPR and using an AED a top New Year's resolution here.

CPR Stats from the American Heart Association:

• More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States.
• Less than half (46%) of bystanders will perform CPR.
• Every minute counts; survival rates without CPR decrease by 10% as each minute passes.
• More than one in three American adults (estimated 85.6 million) have more than one form of cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD. On average, someone dies of CVD every 37 seconds in the U.S.

Another critical skill a person can learn is how to use an automated external defibrillator, known as an AED. An AED is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest by reading the heart's rhythm and delivering an electric shock to reset it.

Sign Up for Classes Today

Escambia County EMS offers CPR and AED classes to the public. EMS employees teach the hands-on class, and students taking part in either course will gain a wealth of knowledge, learning the proper techniques of CPR and the use of an AED.

The Heartsaver CPR AED Course is designed for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. The Heartsaver CPR AED course trains participants to give CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely and effective manner. This course reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).

To learn more about CPR and AED classes, visit MyEscambia.com/EMS.

Escambia County EMS Accomplishments in 2025

2025 not only marked the 50th year of service for Escambia County EMS, but featured significant team and individual accomplishments:

• On April 12, EMS hosted an open house, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at county EMS operations, including hands-on demonstrations, ambulances and facility tours, and one-on-one conversations with EMS staff and leadership.
• From May 18-24, Escambia County EMS was recognized during EMS Week, which honored the hard-working men and women who devote their lives to providing life-saving critical care to those they serve.
• After receiving 45% of the vote, Escambia County EMS won the Florida Sheriffs Association Fire & Rescue graphics contest with their submission of their blue ambulance stationed at Pensacola Beach.
• Escambia County EMS was busy during the Saturday performance of the Pensacola Beach Air Show, treating 115 patients at the mobile medical facility in the Casino Beach parking lot, including 65 patients with heat-related illnesses. Due to prompt treatment by on-scene paramedics and EMTs, 102 patients were released and able to enjoy the air show.
• On July 19, Paramedic Cheryl Taylor and EMT Karen Russell, along with the Ascension Sacred Heart Emergency and Trauma team, were recognized by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos for the life-saving care they provided to a patient who was struck by a drunk driver.
• In August, Escambia County EMS became one of only seven EMS service providers in Florida to be recognized as Pediatric Ready Gold Tier for pediatric readiness, the highest level of pediatric readiness an organization can attain.
• In September, Paramedic Supervisor Reid Jackson received the Emergency Services Award from the Pensacola chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
• Throughout the year, EMS took major steps forward in prehospital care by equipping every paramedic unit with state-of-the-art video laryngoscopes, reinforcing the department's commitment to providing cutting-edge, life-saving care for the community. The new video laryngoscopes represent a significant advancement in airway management, giving paramedics enhanced visualization during intubation, especially in difficult or high-risk situations.
• Escambia County EMS has increased its engagement with local community organizations, including Dr. Benjamin Abo and Supervisor Megan Poff being voted onto the Executive Board of the Emerald Coast Stroke Coalition. Dr. Abo was recently recognized by the Emerald Coast Stroke Coalition for his active engagement in stroke care.
• To celebrate a year of accomplishments and 50 years of service, Escambia County EMS hosted its first-ever awards banquet on Nov. 8. The banquet recognized individual and team achievements throughout the year and honored those who retired in 2025. During the banquet, Logan Wagner was named Paramedic of the Year while Dalaina Hayes was named EMT of the Year. Additionally, Paramedic Wagner was named Paramedic of the Year by VFW Post 706.
• Leading up to Thanksgiving, EMS Chief Chris Watts and Deputy Chief Chris Stephens attended the first-ever Third-Party EMS Administrative Summit in Daytona Beach. The one-of-a-kind event hosted EMS administrative and supervisory staff of third-party EMS organizations, teaching best practices and methods to improve emergency medical services.
• Shortly after the summit in Daytona Beach, several Escambia County Public Safety employees attended the 34th Annual Surviving Trauma Conference in Pensacola Beach, which is an event designed to provide up-to-date information for practicing surgeons, emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, family practitioners and other healthcare team members who provide care for trauma patients.
• The Escambia County CORE program has successfully assisted more than 500 patients, reaching a major milestone in its mission to combat the opioid crisis and provide comprehensive care to individuals battling opioid addiction.
• With the addition of Medical Director Dr. Benjamin Abo, extremely progressive and expansive patient care protocols were created and implemented, along with a variety of medications and procedures, including stocking antibiotics for treating sepsis, adding honey to all medical kits for children who inhaled a button battery and adding lifesaving cyanokits, meant for smoke inhalation patients.

For more information about Escambia County EMS, visit MyEscambia.com/EMS.