E-Care Ambulance

08/10/2026

The men and women of E-Care Ambulance stand in solidarity with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Florida as they mourn the loss of Lieutenant Donald Sargent.

Our deepest condolences are with Lt. Sargent’s family, friends, crew members, and the entire Hillsborough County Fire Rescue family during this incredibly difficult time.

We also echo the important message shared by HCFR: those who dedicate their lives to caring for others sometimes need someone to care for them, too. First responders carry burdens that aren’t always visible, and no one should feel they have to carry those burdens alone.

Check on your partners. Check on your coworkers. Check on your friends. And just as importantly, check on yourself. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone you trust, a peer, family member, friend, or professional. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of courage.

From one first responder family to another, we stand with you.

Rest easy, Lieutenant. We’ll take it from here. 🖤

It is with profound sadness that Hillsborough County Fire Rescue announces the passing of Lieutenant Donald James Sargent.

Lt. Sargent faithfully served the residents of Hillsborough County and the HCFR family for more than 12 years, most recently assigned to Rescue 15 on C Shift.

He was far more than a dedicated firefighter and paramedic. Lt. Sargent was a father, a son, a friend, a brother, a mentor to many, a member of the HCFR hockey team, and a valued member of our fire rescue family. His commitment to serving others and the relationships he built throughout his career leave a lasting impact on our department.

Today, our hearts are with Lt. Sargent’s family, friends, crew members, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. We ask our community to surround his family, friends, and fellow first responders with compassion and support in the difficult days ahead.

We also want to remind everyone that even those who dedicate their lives to helping others sometimes need help themselves. If you are struggling, please reach out. Talk to someone you trust, a friend, a family member, a peer, or a professional. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and no one should have to carry life's burdens alone.

To our HCFR family, please check on one another, and please take care of yourselves and each other.

Rest easy, Lt. Sargent. 🖤

08/01/2026

Amazing! First ever Freeze Dried Plasma received FDA approval this past week! It has a shelf life of 12 months at ROOM TEMPERATURE and is reconstituted within 2 minutes. This is going to be a game changer for EMS! Great job Teleflex! https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-licenses-first-ever-freeze-dried-plasma-product-us

07/10/2026

Please join us in congratulating Critical Care Team members Eric Johnson and Zadee Cespedes, who were nominated as TGH Crystal River Freestanding Emergency Center’s “Medics of the Month” for June!

Eric and Zadee recently transported a patient who had been experiencing recurring heart arrhythmias that had gone undiagnosed for nearly four years. During that time, she repeatedly searched for answers while struggling with symptoms that affected nearly every part of her life. She had lost much of her ability to enjoy everyday activities, could not work reliably, and often worried that she might never learn what was wrong.

During her transport, Eric and Zadee took the time to truly listen to her concerns, empathize with what she had been experiencing, and advocate for her care. They also offered thoughtful recommendations that encouraged further evaluation. Their compassion, attention to detail, and willingness to listen ultimately helped lead to the patient receiving a diagnosis during her hospital admission and beginning treatment for her arrhythmia.

Since starting medication, she reports that the arrhythmias have stopped. She is now back to working, enjoying life, and doing many of the things she had been unable to do for years.
The patient felt so strongly about the impact Eric and Zadee had on her life that, with the assistance of the staff at TGH Crystal River Freestanding Emergency Center, she went searching for our crew so she could meet them again and personally thank them. She credits Eric and Zadee with helping save her life and guiding her toward the answers she had been seeking for so long.

EMS professionals positively impact patients’ lives every day, but it is rare to experience a full-circle moment where providers are able to reconnect with a patient and see the lasting difference their care made.

We are incredibly proud of Eric and Zadee for representing the compassion, advocacy, professionalism, and clinical excellence that define E-Care Ambulance. We are also grateful for our amazing partnership with TGH Crystal River Freestanding Emergency Center and for the patient’s determination to find our team and share her story.

Moments like this remind us how precious life is and how taking the time to listen, advocate, and genuinely care can truly change someone’s life.
Congratulations, Eric and Zadee, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you to our patient for allowing us to be part of her journey and for sharing this meaningful experience with us!

06/28/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Venezuela following the devastating back to back earthquakes that struck the country last week.

E-Care Ambulance stands with the communities affected by this tragedy and is committed to supporting the ongoing relief efforts. We are currently raising funds and making donations to reputable humanitarian organizations providing aid on the ground.

We are also proud to share that our Medical Director, Dr. Julio De Pena, MD, deployed on Saturday to assist with recovery operations in Caracas, Venezuela. Dr. De Pena will be working alongside local and international responders, providing emergency medical care to those impacted by this disaster.

Please join us in keeping the people of Venezuela, the victims, their families and all first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

05/18/2026

Day 1 of EMS week! Crews enjoyed food from Pollo Tropical in Palm Beach County, Texas Roadhouse in Citrus County, and Dominos in Monroe County!

We are excited for the variety of foods, events, and gifts in the upcoming days! Keep an eye out for the posts to come this week!

Additionally, A special THANK YOU! to Texas Roadhouse for providing a generous discount to support our team during EMS Week in Citrus County! Every year our local Texas Roadhouse steps up to take care of EMS and all first responders. Your support does not go unnoticed, we greatly appreciate you!

05/17/2026

As EMS Week begins, we want to take a moment to thank every member of our team for the hard work and dedication they bring every single day.

Working in EMS comes with sacrifices that most people never see. They miss holidays, have long shifts, late nights, early mornings and time away from family and friends all to be there for people in their time of need. It takes a special kind of person to do this job. The care and compassion you show every day towards our patients does not go unnoticed and we appreciate you!

This week is about recognizing all of YOU and the work you do for your patients, your partners and your community day in and day out, 24/7/365!

We thank you for your professionalism, teamwork and the commitment to providing the best care possible. We are proud to work alongside each and every one of you and are even prouder to have you apart of our team!

Happy EMS Week 2026 from all of us at E-Care Ambulance! 🚑💙

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible moms in our community and beyond! 💐

Today, we celebrate all of the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and every other mother figure who give so much of themselves every single day. The strength, the sacrifice, your compassion and endless love for your children never go unnoticed.

We also want to recognize all of the amazing mothers who work throughout healthcare, Fire/EMS, Law Enforcement and Military - including the dedicated and moms on our own team who not only care for their patients day in and day out, but also continue that care at home for their loved ones.

From all of us at E-Care Ambulance, thank you for everything you do for us. We would not be here without you!! We hope your day is filled with love, appreciation and time spent with those who matter most.

Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️

05/09/2026

Shout out to our Monroe County division in the Florida Keys! 🌴💙

Our incredible Monroe team recently participated in the annual hurricane evacuation drill at NAS Key West’s Boca Chica Field. This highly coordinated exercise brings together agencies and healthcare facilities, like E-Care, that train and work side-by-side to ensure patients can be safely and efficiently evacuated during an emergency.

Because of the unique geography and logistics of the Florida Keys — especially Key West — hospital patients may need to be airlifted to facilities outside the area during severe weather events. This year’s drill included volunteers acting as patients and showcased the seamless coordination involved in loading and transporting patients aboard a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

At E-Care, we are proud to serve the communities we call home and remain ready to support statewide deployments whenever needed. Exercises like this help all participating agencies stay prepared, practiced, and ready to respond when it matters most.

Great job to everyone involved in making this drill such a success! 👏🚑✈️

05/05/2026

E-Care Ambulance’s Citrus County Division would like to take a moment to recognize crew members Kameron Farrell and Tanner Torres for the excellent care they provided this past weekend.

Our ambulance was dispatched to a partner care facility for a patient experiencing weakness. During their assessment, Kameron and Tanner identified concerning signs of an acute stroke, including unilateral weakness, facial droop, and slurred speech. The crew quickly activated a Stroke Alert and made the decision to transport the patient to a regional Comprehensive Stroke Center capable of providing advanced stroke diagnostics and interventions.

Following arrival, the patient underwent multiple studies, had positive findings of a stroke, and was treated for severe arterial stenosis. We are happy to share that the patient’s new deficits have since reversed, and the patient is now planned for surgical intervention.

This is an outstanding example of why early recognition, clinical judgment, and destination decision-making matter. We are thankful for this crew’s thorough initial assessment, knowledge of hospital capabilities, and prompt transport to the most appropriate facility.

Great job, Tanner and Kameron!🎉🎉🎉

Stroke recognition saves lives. Right patient. Right place. Right time.

05/02/2026

💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Today we recognize that our health goes far beyond what anyone can see. We recognize that our mental health is just as important as our physical health and it deserves the same level of understanding, attention and care.

Every day, we encounter patients, families and even our fellow healthcare providers, firefighters, law enforcement officers who may be silently struggling. Sometimes it’s stress, sometimes it’s anxiety, or depression or burnout.. these challenges are REAL and absolutely no one should have to face them alone.

As professionals in the EMS, we know the importance of showing up with clinical skills, however, it doesn’t end there. We also know the importance of showing up with compassion, patience and empathy. Sometimes the most meaningful and positive care we can provide isn’t an intervention or treatment, it’s simply listening, reassuring and being present in someone worse day.

This month, ECare encourages everyone to:

* Check in on your friends, family, and coworkers
* Take time to care for your own mental wellbeing
* Speak openly and without passing judgment
* Seek help when you need it.

To our crews, our partners, and our community: your mental health matters. YOU MATTER!!

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
• You can call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
• You can text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line
• Dial 211 – Local mental health & community resources
• For Veterans: Call 988 and press 1.

Please remember everyone, You’re not alone. 💚