How IT Insights Helped Transform EMT Training
Introduction
Maintaining the highest standards for medical emergency services is vital for quality performance, patient outcomes, and community engagement. Responder readiness is imperative and a priority for any EMS organization. Perinton Volunteer Ambulance Corp (PVAC) faced a critical challenge: traditional training methods limited hands-on experience to just a few trainees at a time inside an ambulance. They approached IT Insights of Rochester (ITIR) to partner on creating a solution.
Their goal was to create a mobile, simulated ambulance setup that would revolutionize EMT training by bringing real-world emergency scenarios to entire classrooms simultaneously. They needed a solution capable of broadcasting live from moving vehicles, capturing multiple angles of medical procedures, and giving PVAC headquarters staff virtual access to monitor and guide training sessions in real time.
Client Background
Client: Perinton Ambulance Corp (PVAC)
Location: Perinton, New York
Industry: Emergency Medical Services
PVAC is the primary emergency medical provider for Perinton, NY, and the surrounding community, going beyond emergency services. They offer community health programs, including CPR training, car seat installations, and a community loan closet. The organization maintains strong partnerships with local hospitals, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, and the broader Fairport area to ensure a collaborative approach to community well-being.
The Challenge
PVAC faced a multitude of challenges when it came to their training system, which greatly influenced design decisions and hardware options. The team had to pivot multiple times, especially regarding the internet service and setup. While internet access on vehicles is more commonplace, finding the right option took some exploring.
The hardware installation was a special obstacle, considering the team had never undertaken this type of project before. The in-service ambulance needed to look professional and clean, as well as organized with all the components and integrations tucked away for safety and efficiency. Installing networking and cabling in an ambulance presented unique restrictions.
“We are a unique operation where we need to maintain immediate operational readiness even while conducting training. Our ambulances can’t be taken out of service for extended periods, yet we need to train effectively in the actual environment our teams will operate in.”
– PVAC
The organization needed to overcome multiple obstacles:
- Space and Operational Constraints: Training sessions conducted in ambulances were limited by physical space, restricting the number of trainees who could observe and learn from each session while maintaining emergency readiness.
- Connectivity Requirements: Streaming high-quality video from potentially rural areas required reliable internet solutions that could function in varied geographic locations.
- Lack of Precedent: The ITIR team had no previous experience with a project of this nature, making it a pioneering effort with few reference points.
- Physical Installation Complexity: Professional integration with an in-service ambulance required careful planning to preserve operational functionality and professional appearance.
With their setup unable to accommodate multiple trainees in a single ambulance during training sessions, PVAC was forced to rethink its training infrastructure and address its functionality gaps. With training effectiveness as the focal point, PVAC looked to ITIR to modernize its training capabilities and invest in new infrastructure to improve learning outcomes and training efficiency.
The Solution
Our team delivered a comprehensive high-fidelity training system that merged multiple technical methods, achieving the desired results. With ITIR leading the effort, they produced a cohesive training environment along with functionality for day-to-day emergency usage. With strategically placed cameras throughout the unit to capture training sessions, the team produced and implemented an impressive finished product.
The solution supported multiple cameras along with streaming technology, effortlessly connecting trainees in a class setting to live training sessions and real-time emergencies in a moving ambulance. The system provides real-time virtual access for PVAC headquarters staff, with built-in privacy safeguards that ensure sensitive data remains protected while maintaining seamless connectivity across all operations.
After exploring multiple network options, the team integrated the solution with PVAC’s existing Verizon first response internet service, ensuring reliable connectivity even in rural deployment areas. The comprehensive system includes integrated audio and video recording with playback capabilities for detailed debriefing and assessment, providing instructors with valuable tools for performance evaluation.
All components were professionally installed with meticulous cable management to preserve the ambulance’s professional appearance and maintain its operational readiness, with creative solutions implemented to overcome the spatial constraints of the vehicle’s limited cabinet space.
“We always need to think innovatively and identify the next best solution to train our emergency responders. ITIR brought us options that we otherwise didn’t have with our previous technology. They provided us with different scenarios, including the roadmap to build out their technology that ultimately allowed us to stream training sessions to a classroom setting, create training efficiency, and most importantly, greatly improve the overall training experience.”
– PVAC
Implementation Process
The project spanned from November 2024 to March 2025, with the process completed in phases to avoid disrupting day-to-day emergency operations.
“What began as a conceptual discussion in August evolved through a thorough planning phase, including three comprehensive consultative calls and a three-week proposal development period to ensure all requirements were fully addressed. We experienced some technical challenges with the installation and took those challenges head-on. We believe that’s a testament to the partnership between the ITIR team and Perinton Ambulance. We did a great job understanding the different complexities and challenges of working with an in-service emergency vehicle.”
– ITIR
The implementation timeline ultimately concluded with the final installation in the spring on March 11, 2025. Throughout the process, the team methodically evaluated multiple connectivity solutions, including T-Mobile services and Starlink satellite options, before finalizing with Verizon to align with existing infrastructure while meeting constraints.
“At one point, one of us was dangling over the side of the ambulance during installation.”
– ITIR
The physical installation presented unique challenges that required innovative problem-solving, including careful drilling through cabinet sides and creative cable routing to maintain the professional appearance of the in-service ambulance while ensuring all technology components were securely mounted and properly integrated.
“This project taught us that we have the technical capabilities to handle unique, one-off projects beyond our normal day-to-day work. These projects engage our creativity regarding different technologies and installation techniques. The collaboration between team members worked well – we were aligned on our approach. Most importantly, this project had significant meaning because it will ultimately help save lives by training first responders more effectively.”
– ITIR
Results and Impact
Following the implementation, training effectiveness has jumped significantly, and the organization has positioned itself as a regional leader in EMS training innovation. Trainees are experiencing enhanced learning opportunities through observation of live training scenarios, and instructor efficiency has dramatically improved.
“No other agency in the area has this,” notes PVAC. They emphasized their philosophy that “Regardless of zip code, we should all be on the same page & the same team,” highlighting how this technology advances training standardization.
The implementation has delivered several key benefits:
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Perinton Ambulance now operates the only system of its kind in the region outside of Buffalo, positioning them as innovators in EMS training.
ENHANCED TRAINING CAPABILITIES
The solution enables mobile, flexible, and realistic training scenarios with immediate feedback opportunities.
IMPROVED LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Multiple trainees can now observe and learn from a single training session, maximizing educational impact.
EFFICIENT WORKFLOW
The system streamlines training and assessment processes, reducing administrative burden while improving responder readiness.
MARKET INTEREST
The project has generated significant attention from peer organizations and medical establishments, demonstrating potential for broader adoption.
Future Outlook
Now that Perinton Ambulance has implemented this innovative training technology, they are exploring further enhancements to the system, with additional capabilities and other ways to expand usage across other training scenarios. The results of this project open the possibility for sharing this system with other emergency services and providers in the region, furthering the Perinton Ambulance commitment to community health programs and collaborative approaches to emergency services.
The success of this groundbreaking project has sparked interest throughout the region, with neighboring EMS agencies eager to adopt similar solutions. PVAC is actively developing partnerships to share this technology, creating a network of interconnected training systems that will elevate emergency response standards across multiple counties. This collaborative approach not only strengthens their commitment to community health programs but also positions them as a catalyst for regional transformation in emergency medical training.
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