FROM THE TOP: Featuring founder and president of EMT Bernie Squitieri
With the growth rate of the elderly population in the U.S. greatly surpassing the growth rate of the population as a whole, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) has become more vital than ever. That’s why companies like Express Medical Transporters (EMT), a professional, non-emergency transportation service company based in St. Louis, are integrating up-to-date technology to improve efficiency throughout their franchise systems. Chris (L) Bernie (R)Today, we spoke with EMT’s founder and president Bernie Squitieri about the company’s integration of Trip TracerTM—which will equip EMT to meet this demand through the next decade and beyond.
How has EMT used technology to build stronger franchisee relationships?
As a leading NEMT, it’s important to me that we provide our franchisees with reliable, ongoing support. In addition to classroom and hands-on training, EMT also provides on-site opening assistance for up to five days either before or within a month of a franchisee’s opening. Our latest integration of the Trip Tracer, a logistics management system produced by Datatrac Corporation specifically for EMT, allows individual EMT franchisees to be more efficient and helps manage work flow between all locations.
Designed specifically for non-emergency medical transportation, Trip Tracer's components provide state-of-the-art scheduling, dispatch, GPS tracking and audit capabilities. For example, dialysis patients with a weekly treatment appointment can simply call an EMT customer service representative or visit their website to schedule transportation. School districts throughout Missouri also rely on EMT to adequately transport children to and from school every day. All drivers are equipped with mobile devices that allow dispatchers to locate their position on Trip Tracer. Integrated with Google Maps, the system provides position and safety data while allowing dispatchers to quickly adjust workloads in response to weather, traffic and other scheduling considerations.
It’s vital that we set ourselves apart from our competition. We’re raising the bar as far as quality and giving people reasons why they should use EMT instead of taxis or other competitors that don’t have such technology.
About EMT
EMT currently operates franchises in 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Projections call for more than 100 franchises to be in operation within three years.
*Pictured from left to right: Vice president, Chris Kemph, and founder and president, Bernie Squitieri.
Here is an advance copy of the article but it should hit newsstands within the next couple of weeks. The publication reaches approximately one million readers a month and can be found at bookstores, grocery stores and most mass market retailers. Read Article...
EMT Featured in this week's New Mexico Business Weekly - December 2009
Deep in the doldtrums of the national recession, Bernie Squitieri, owner of Express Medical Transporters, decided to franchise his business. In October 2007, Squitieri reached out to prospective franchisors across the country to expand his non-emergency medical transportation firm, based out of St. Louis. EMT USA quickly sold franchises in nine states, including New Mexico. Projections now call for 100 franchises nationwide withtin the next three years. Read More...
67 WALL STREET, New York - December 14, 2009 - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Consumer Health Services Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This 53 page feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs, Equity Analysts and Money Managers. Read More...
Dramatic Rise in Family Homelessness
--During the 1990s the number of children and youth experiencing homelessness in the US increases nearly 3.5 fold.
--Nearly 1 million school-aged children experience homelessness during a given year (ED Report to Congress, 2002).
--Children comprise 39 percent of the 3.4 million people experiencing homelessness over the course of the year (NCFH, 2002).
--Over 40 percent of children living in homeless shelters are under the age of 5. Read More...
ON THE STREET - Homelessness Doubles for School Kids in Baltimore - March, 2009
At night, her six children -- ranging from four months to 16 -- double up to sleep in her grandmother’s small row house in Baltimore’s Edmondson Village. With no room left, her husband sleeps outside in the car. Read More...
The Education of Homeless Children and Youth (Title X, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, The McKinney Vento Act)
The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, as amended and incorporated into the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), allows the State of Florida to distribute funding to local school districts to meet the requirements listed in the Act. This funding is in addition to Title I funding, a portion of which that must also be used for the education of homeless children and youth, thus making a direct connection between McKinney-Vento and Title I. Florida’s McKinney-Vento Program is administered directly through the Bureau of Student Assistance and the Office of Title I Programs and Academic Intervention Services. Read More...
Alabama EMT Featured in Business Alabama - December 2009
Express Medical Transporters, a non-emergency medical transportation frachise, recently opened operations in Mobile, after July starts in Birmingham and Montgomery. Read More...
EMT Featured in this week's New Mexico Business Weekly - December 2009
For many, a recession wouldn’t be a good time to start a new business. But to Doug Pratt and Dave Devereaux, the time was right to buy into a franchise that gives people rides to their medical appointments.
Full Story Coming Soon!
When Bernie Squitieri moved to suburban St. Louis from the Bronx, where he was general manager of one of the borough's largest taxi companies, he noticed the lack of any kind of reliable taxi service. Read More...
Bernie Squitieri started down the road of entrepreneurial success with a simple promise. On Halloween morning in 1995, he told his 2-year-old son that when he got home from work, they would go trick-or-treating. When Squitieri arrived for his shift as manager of a St. Louis Bread Co. location, he learned that the general manager had scheduled him to work an evening shift. Read More...
EMT USA Expands Into the Baltimore Area Opening its First Company Owned
Location - September 14, 2009
Express Medical Transporters (EMT), the Clayton, Mo.-based professional,
non-emergency transportation service, will open its first company owned
location in Maryland this month to address the growing needs of greater
Baltimore area residents in wheelchairs, seniors and the disabled,
special-needs children and many others. Read more...
President of Express Medical Transporters and EMT USA Makes Headline News -
September 9 ,2009
On Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Bernie Squitieri shined a bright light on
the non-emergency medical transportation business when he appeared live on
FOX BUSINESS news. Bernie talked about the non-emeregency medical
transportation business and the role the government plays in providing this
service to citizens of our country. Click here to watch the live interview.
Policy Brief Examines Medicaid's Non-Emergency Transportation Assurance and
Assesses Implications for Health Reform - July 2, 2009
WASHINGTON-The George Washington University Department of Health Policy,
Center for Health Policy Research, released a policy brief that examines
Medicaid's non-emergency medical transportation assurance and the role
played by the assurance as policymakers debate national health reform. The
brief reviews the origins and evolution of the assurance and presents the
results of a 2009 survey of state Medicaid programs regarding the current
state of Medicaid transportation. Read more...
EMT USA's Tampa Bay based franchise, along with a group of investors, purchases Fresh Air of Alabama. This move grants EMT one of only two companies to have state-wide operating authority in Alabama. The investment group will convert Fresh Air of Alabama into an EMT franchise and immediately start offering services in the Birmingham and Montgomery areas. Read More...
Medical transport firm raising standards - June 24, 2009
A unique Father's Day gift for an aging parent might be a ticket to ride.
Transportation vouchers could be just the thing to help a frail, elderly parent, Express Medical Transporters owner Jeanine Blake suggests. The Clearwater-based company expanded into Pasco this year with daily routes round the clock in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Failing eyesight, hearing loss, or even the high cost of gas can keep a senior citizen from getting out, company spokeswoman Tara Michelle Hustedde added. Budget cutbacks could force public transit to reduce service, Hustedde pointed out. Read More...
Carrco Wins Riverview Gardens school contract
Sue Perszyk owner of the first EMT franchise wins Riverview Gardens school district Contract. EMT was not the lowest bidder however the school made it clear it wanted quality service over price. Bernie Squitieri president of EMT USA says,I am very proud of Sue because she runs a first class operation Sues phenomenal growth is due in part of her great staff and mostly because of her Commitment to quality service Carrco is growing so fast that just after 4 months in business Carrco is moving to a 4000 sq ft location and will have its own maintenance facility. It will also have a new and bigger call center with a updated phone system. We at EMT USA wish Sue and Wayne and here entire staff the best keeps up the good work. And Remember, Quantity will follow Quality
EMT Gets Contract in Albuquerque New Mexico with Access2Care
Starting on 08/01/08 EMT will be providing non-emergency medical transportation services for eligible members of Amerigroup in the Albuquerque New Mexico area. EMT is very excited about the opportunity and is looking at opening in other states to service other contract for Assess2Care.
EMT Opens in Tampa Florida
In September 2008 EMT will open an office in Pinellas County and start providing non-emergency medical transportation . This office will be managed by David and Jeanine Blake formally executives with Pods Inc,
Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Grants Authority
The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission granted authority to EMT for transportation of School students. The letter, dated May 22, 2008 states that EMT has the authority under the Missouri Department of Transportation to continue transportation services for the VICC Contract.
EMT sells its first franchise!!
Sue Perszyk purchases EMT's first franchise in St. Peters, Missouri. On May 1, 2008, EMT sold its first franchise opportunity located in St. Peters. This franchise had 12 employees, 6 independent contract drivers and more than 20 accounts in its first 30 days of operation. Sue plans on expanding into Wentzville and Columbia, Missouri in the next few months.
EMT opens new division dedicated to Student Transportation
A new division has been created at EMT. This division, Student Transportation Division, will be dedicated to providing all routed and individual transportation for more than 20 local school districts involved in the Homeless Student Transportation Program as well as Special School District and the VICC program. With a state of the art phone system, computerized dispatch software, GPS mapping capabilities and dedicated personnel, this new division will be exceeding expectations of all school districts, students and their families they transport for.
EMT awarded Special School District
EMT was awarded as the primary provider for transportation services for Special School District's 2008-2009 school year. We will be providing approximately 40 routes for various schools in the Special School District. After providing services on about 15 routes for the 2007-2008, EMT was the confirmed primary provider for the following school year.
EMT awarded as secondary provider in the VICC Student Transportation Program
EMT partnered with Laclede Cab Co. to submit its proposal for the VICC (Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation) for student transportation services. EMT will be the secondary provider in the contract and will be providing approximately 25 routes for the upcoming school year.
