ELEVATING COMMUNITIES, TRANSFORMING CARE. Fall/Winter 2025

Help Honor EMS Pioneers: Support the Freedom House Congressional Gold Medal

It's time to recognize the trailblazers who created modern EMS.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1967, Freedom House Ambulance Service was the first EMS in the United States staffed by medically trained paramedics.

Led by Chief John Moon, Dr. Peter Safar, Dr. Nancy Caroline, and Dr. Don Benson, and composed primarily of Black men and women from Pittsburgh's Hill District, Freedom House revolutionized emergency response and established the national standard for pre-hospital care.

A bipartisan Congressional bill would award Freedom House a Gold Medal, recognition that's long overdue.

Add your voice—sign the petition today!

Dear CARESTAR Community,

As we close out another productive and formative year, I am filled with pride and energy for what this community has built together. Just a month ago, we gathered for our 4th Annual Partner Summit—the highlight of our year and a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Hearing grantees share the progress they've made, the partnerships that have been strengthened, and the lives that have been touched was deeply inspiring. While challenges remain, the dedication and innovation I witnessed reaffirmed that meaningful change is not only possible—it's already happening.

We were also privileged to hear from Liz Basnett at EMSA, who connected local efforts to the larger statewide transformation already underway—a clear sign that our collective work is shaping the future of EMS in California. If you weren't able to join us, I encourage you to check out the digital photo album linked below for a glimpse of the energy and collaboration that filled the room.

At CARESTAR, our staff and board are finalizing an updated strategic plan that builds on these strong partnerships, with a growing focus on improving clinical care. We look forward to sharing more details in early 2026.

Until then, here's to reflection, renewal, and the exciting work ahead.

With gratitude,

Tanir Ami

CEO, CARESTAR Foundation

THE LATEST NEWS FROM CARESTAR

Thank you to all who joined for our 2025 Partner Summit!

Check out the full photo album from the event.

Policy Updates

As California's EMS system faces growing pressures, CARESTAR is bringing together leaders and innovators to chart a path forward.

This August, approximately 25 participants including LEMSA Medical Directors, paramedics, firefighters, and seasoned educators, gathered at the Center for Prehospital Care at UCLA for a two-day intensive workshop. The group explored policy ideas that had long been discussed but needed focused attention and action.

By the end of the session, participants had formed four dedicated teams, each focused on one of the following challenges:

Increasing diversity in the EMS workforce
Integrating EMS data with hospital and other health systems
Expanding access to mental health crisis response teams in underserved and resource-stretched areas
Strengthening cultural humility and responsiveness across the EMS workforce

Three of the four teams are already pushing their proposals through policy and regulatory channels. One group has even secured a meeting with HCAI—California's healthcare workforce and licensing authority—to advance their vision into reality.

It's been inspiring to see these ideas take shape and gain momentum. CARESTAR plans to host another policy workshop in 2026. Stay tuned for dates and registration details!

A poster showing the visual notes taken during the 2025 Partner Summit session on policy.

GRANTEES IN ACTION

Exciting news! Jameel Sylvia, MPA, NRP, Director of Paramedic Programs at UCLA, won Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation in Education at EMS World Expo 2025 for research advancing mental health response in EMS.

CARESTAR is proud to support this groundbreaking work improving care for behavioral health crises and expanding evidence-based training nationwide.

Congratulations to Stanislaus County EMS on officially launching its first Triage to Alternate Destination program!

This milestone marks an exciting step toward expanding field-based care and creating safer, community-centered alternatives to traditional emergency transport. The program empowers EMS providers with more tools and flexibility to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Akoma United

Akoma United is in the final stages of producing Heroes Then, Heroes Now: The Legacy of Freedom House, a powerful documentary celebrating the pioneering history of EMS trailblazers.

The film spotlights several CARESTAR workforce partners, including Public Works Alliance and EMS Corps, and promises to bring this inspiring story to audiences everywhere. The documentary is tentatively scheduled for release in late 2026.

California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)

On September 10, the California EMS Authority brought together providers, partners, and community members for a statewide Equity in EMS Listening Session, an important step forward in ensuring equitable emergency care for all Californians. The session was part of EMSA's ongoing Equity in EMS initiative and included a public comment period on draft definitions and frameworks. With facilitation support from Ebony Chambers and Healing Grace Studios, community discussions centered local voices and perspectives in shaping the future of emergency medical services.

Steinberg Institute

The Steinberg Institute hosted its Ideas to Action: Behavioral Health Alternatives to Hospitalization convening in Sacramento, bringing together leaders from across California to explore innovative approaches to crisis response, alternative destinations, and stepdown care. Check out some photos from the event here.

TabiMOMS

In partnership with Public Health Advocates, TabiMOMS shared insights from community listening sessions in Vallejo on improving emergency response for birthing people and families. Their findings are helping shape community-informed strategies for safer, more compassionate care.

"In the Red" Film Screening

In the Red: Changing Lives to Save Lives continues to make an impact, drawing powerful community engagement and heartfelt connection across the Bay Area.

On September 22, CARESTAR Program Officer Sedella Jefferson attended a packed screening at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater. Directed by Mimi Chakarova of Still I Rise Films, the film celebrates the Bay EMT training program and its enduring impact on local youth and the broader EMS community.

The audience included past program participants, mentors, and professionals from the field, each a testament to the program’s legacy and reach. CARESTAR is proud to support partners whose storytelling and dedication continue to elevate community-driven pathways into emergency medical careers.

CODE3

A comedy/drama about a burned-out paramedic tasked with training his eager but inexperienced replacement. What starts as a routine night quickly spirals into a chaotic, citywide odyssey that tests their endurance, instincts and sense of humor as they race from one emergency to the next. Watch the trailer. Streaming on multiple platforms.

EMS is not a Business Model and We are Paying the Price

The idea of operating and funding an EMS service in the United States is staggering. While the concept is noble, the ability to achieve success is hampered, in many instances, during the step of figuring out how to finance the service. JEMS

The Millionaire Who Left Wall Street to Become a Paramedic

After making millions in a job he came to hate, Jonathan Kleisner joined the NY Fire Department as a rookie paramedic at the age of 41. Now he’s determined to be the best rescue medic anywhere. NYTimes

How to Support the Growth of Community Paramedicine

EMS World recently profiled several community paramedicine programs and the difference they are making in their communities to provide the right care in the right place at the right time for patients who don’t need and aren’t best served by an ambulance trip to the emergency department (ED). EMS World