Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
About EMS
The Emergency Services Division (EMS) of North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District is dedicated to saving the lives of those residents and visitors within District boundaries as well as those in the surrounding areas.
The fundamental and unique mission of the EMS Division is to develop and continually improve the medical care system, while assuring high quality patient care and appropriate response in emergency situations. In cooperation with other area agencies, the Division promotes all aspects of a comprehensive system of pre-hospital emergency medical care along with basic and advanced life support services.
The provision of patient care is a responsibility given to certified and/or licensed individuals who have completed a medical training and evaluation program. Pre-hospital certified providers are required to adhere to the standards of the certifying agency and the medical protocols authorized by Collier County’s Office of the Medical Director and local, federal and state agencies.
With a commitment to excellence and professionalism, the EMS Division works together in collaboration and partnership with other agencies outside of its structure who share the same vision and values. Mutual respect with other providers is the cornerstone for all of its working relationships. Integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior guide all endeavors within a framework of diverse ideas, cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds – all which strengthen the Division’s efforts and enables the accomplishment of its important goals.
Advanced Life Support
The District has been providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to its residents and visitors since 2011. All of the District’s firefighter personnel are cross-trained in emergency medical response as either Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics, and are both State and County credentialed.
Many people are not aware that our firefighters are highly trained as EMTs and Paramedics and can deliver ALS prior to the arrival of an ambulance. For this reason, the response of a fire engine is important to stabilize a patient when an ambulance may be delayed.
Our Medical Team
Jorge Aguilera
Deputy Chief
View Aguilera Bio
Since 1985, Chief Aguilera has been involved in the profession of delivering Emergency Medical Services beginning his career with Collier County Emergency Medical Services as a paramedic, moving up through the ranks to Lt. Paramedic, Flight Medic and the Division Chief of Training. As Deputy Chief for the North Collier Fire, Aguilera is responsible for the development and implementation of the District’s emergency medical service program include training, quality assurance and compliance with all local, state and federal guidelines. He is also responsible for the District’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Understanding the importance of the sharing of ideas and best practices, Chief Aguilera is involved in numerous local, regional and State organizations including Chair of the Collier County Injury Prevention Coalition, Chair of the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District EMS Council, EMS Division Representative for the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association Southwest Florida and Community Member on the Physicians Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. Chief Aguilera earned an Associate in Science Degree in Emergency Medical Technology from Edison State College and a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Hodges University.
Jeffrey A. Panozzo, DO
Associate Medical Director
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Dr. Jeffrey A. Pannozzo has served as Associate Medical Director for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District since 2008. In this role, he provides clinical oversight for medical education, professional development, and the adoption of evidence-based medical protocols. He also plays a key role in overseeing the District’s Quality Assurance program, supporting continuous improvement in patient care.
Board-certified in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Pannozzo currently serves as Medical Director for the Emergency Department at NCH North Naples Hospital with TeamHealth. His prior experience includes medical consulting for the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) related to post–September 11 first responder care, as well as serving as Medical Director for Naples Emergency Physicians at Physicians Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Pannozzo earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989 and completed his undergraduate studies at Loyola University.
James J. Augustine, M.D.
Associate Medical Director
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Dr. James Augustine is an emergency physician who brings extensive clinical and operational experience to his role as Medical Director for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District. He is widely recognized for his expertise in fire-rescue emergency response and EMS system leadership.
In addition to his work with the District, Dr. Augustine serves as Medical Director for multiple Fire-Rescue agencies across the region. He is also a Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Prior to joining North Collier, Dr. Augustine served as Medical Director with Atlanta Fire Rescue, including medical oversight for the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Fire-Rescue Division, one of the busiest aviation emergency response systems in the world. His prior leadership roles also include serving as Assistant Fire Chief and Medical Director for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, as well as First Chair of the Ohio EMS Board. During his 14 years with North Collier, Dr. Augustine has supported the District through major hurricanes, pandemics, and significant seasonal fluctuations in service demand associated with a growing community. He views his role as one focused on supporting the dedicated personnel who provide emergency services every day, while helping the organization adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of the community.
Sariely Sandoval, MD
Associate Medical Director
View Sandoval Bio
Dr. Sariely Sandoval is a board-certified emergency physician. She completed medical school at Indiana University in Indianapolis and completed her emergency medicine residency at Beaumont Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. She then went on to complete an EMS fellowship at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While there she was involved with the Medical Control Authority of Washtenaw and Livingston Counties and ran calls alongside the road crews as well as with Survival Flight. Originally from California, she was in search of more sun and decided to move to Naples, Florida where she currently works at the emergency department at Physicians Regional Medical Center, Collier and Pine Ridge campuses, and is also currently the Medical Director at Immokalee Fire Control District.
Deborah M. Lopez, MD
Associate Medical Director
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Dr. Debra Lopez brings specialized expertise in pediatrics and pediatric critical care to her role as Associate Medical Director for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District. Her clinical background provides valuable leadership and guidance for the care of pediatric patients within the EMS system. Dr. Lopez serves as an Attending Physician in Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at NCH North Naples Hospital. She earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Montserrat, British West Indies, in 1990. Her post-graduate training included residency and fellowship experience at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. Dr. Lopez was recognized as Physician of the Year by Naples Community Hospital in both 2010 and 2011. In addition to her clinical work, she has contributed to medical education as a faculty member at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Paul J. Hobaica, MD
District Physician
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Dr. Paul Hobaica serves as the District Physician for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, where his focus is on promoting and maintaining the health, fitness, and readiness of District personnel. In this role, he provides medical guidance that supports the safety, wellness, and operational effectiveness of the organization. Working closely with the EMS Division, Dr. Hobaica oversees the scheduling and completion of annual physical examinations for District personnel and provides medical oversight and guidance for workers’ compensation cases. His role helps ensure that personnel are medically fit to perform their duties and able to safely serve the community. An integral part of the Naples healthcare community, Dr. Hobaica also serves as Medical Director for Arthrex and operates AccessMD, a primary and urgent care center in Naples that delivers healthcare services to first responders throughout Collier County. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his Internal Medicine residency training at the University of Massachusetts in 1999.
