Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division was established in 1995 and provides both Advanced and Basic Life Support Treatment and Transport. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue is noted for their innovative EMS initiatives including instituting the first Sepsis Alert Program in Palm Beach County, and the pre-hospital administration of whole blood. The department consistently has higher cardiac arrest resuscitation rates with favorable neurological outcomes almost 3 times higher than the State of Florida and National averages (Cerebral Performance Category - CPC scale 1 or 2). Palm Beach Gardens was the first agency in Florida to be designated as a Heart Safe Community by the Citizen’s CPR Foundation.
Medical Direction
Kenneth Scheppke, M.D. serves as the Medical Director for Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue and is responsible for overseeing medical quality improvement and the development of EMS treatment protocols.
Dr. Scheppke has more than 25 years of experience in medicine and is dual board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). He is a nationally recognized leader in prehospital care and an active member of the Coalition of Eagles, a prestigious organization of EMS Medical Directors representing major EMS agencies across North America, London, and New Zealand. Dr. Scheppke, has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and EMS trade publications. He is widely recognized as an expert in adult resuscitation and has served as a featured speaker at national conferences.
