FirstWatch

07/21/2026

Tuesday means one thing…. It’s Terry Time

This week Terry is joined by Data Dan—better known as Daniel Brown, FirstWatch’s Product Solutions Owner.

Daniel specializes in report and dashboard development, helping FirstWatch customers unlock the full value of the data they’re already collecting. His mission is simple: empower agencies to make smarter, more informed decisions by transforming complex data into clear, meaningful insights. As Daniel puts it: “My part in helping our clients is to lay out their data in a presentable way that tells the story they want to tell.” Whether it’s operational performance, clinical outcomes, deployment strategies or workforce trends, Daniel helps organizations see the answers hidden in their own data.

Terry and Daniel also offer an exciting teaser of what’s to come at Collaborate Live 2026. This year, FirstWatch will unveil FirstWatch 2.0—one of the most significant developments in the company’s history. Built from the ground up with AI capabilities, FirstWatch 2.0 will put users firmly in the driver’s seat, allowing them to create dashboards and reports using natural language, ask dynamic questions of their data, and uncover insights faster than ever before. It’s a major step forward in making advanced analytics accessible to every user and represents the future direction of FirstWatch. You won’t want to miss the reveal.

📍 Learn more about Collaborate Live 2026:
https://firstwatch.net/collaborate-live/

Terry Fitch

07/15/2026

It’s the bottom of Day 3 for us at Pinnacle EMS and so far it has been sooooo good!

Coming up today, our own Medical Director, Dr Silvia Verdugo and Dustin Gonzalez present ‘What are the Numbers? Depends on Who You Ask!’ at 1pm…..

While we often think of data as objective and clear, the metrics we collect vary by constituency and reflect what we most value based on our perspectives. This presentation will look at how county fire, transport, and EMS data can all tell different stories about the same challenge.

Dr Silvia and Dustin will demonstrate possible pitfalls that can negatively impact your agency and community. They will then offer approaches for reconciling data and creating a shared vision of success that respects the dynamic nature of first response and public health.

Also from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm visit us at the FirstWatch Booth; and from 7:00 pm – midnight, join us in the FirstWatch Hospitality Suite Open Hours - #1226 for a beverage, snack, and conversation with our FirstWatch team members in an informal, casual setting. Silvia Rita

07/14/2026

Terry welcomes back Data Dave—better known as Dave Amaya!

In this week’s episode, Dave talks about his role at FirstWatch, the territory he supports, and how he works with customers to help them get the most from their data.

Once again, this Terry Time segment was filmed at the beautiful Catamaran Resort on Mission Bay, San Diego—the future home of FirstWatch Collaborate Live!

📍 Learn more about Collaborate Live:
https://firstwatch.net/collaborate-live/

But don’t forget… Right now, Terry and the team are at Pinnacle EMS, where FirstWatch is proud to be a Strategic Partner. We’re looking forward to connecting with everyone attending!

Stop by FirstWatch Booth #328 to say hello, meet the team, visit the FirstWatch Hospitality Suite #1226 during open hours, or join us for one of our FirstWatch sessions on Wednesday or Thursday.

📍 Learn more about FirstWatch at Pinnacle:
https://firstwatch.net/pinnacle-2026/

Terry Fitch KC Dave

07/13/2026

And we are off at Pinnacle EMS…….

Right now Mike Taigman and the team are delivering ‘Data-Driven Emergency Services Leadership’

With Mike today is Carly Strong, Chief Operating Officer, Lifeline Ambulance, Tim Burns, Battalion Chief – EMS Quality Management, Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue and Remle Crowe, Director of Clinical and Operational Research, ESO.

They all content that we are swimming in a sea of data from dispatch, electronic medical records, scheduling systems, payroll, fleet, and more.

Unskilled leaders use data as a weapon to judge, apply pressure, and manipulate. They share it in ways that blame, cause fear and cause damage to the systems they lead. Effective leaders use data to empower their teams, track progress on their strategy, and make measurable improvements.

They display data in ways that people extract accurate meaning at a glance. They know what measures are meaningful and how to assess trends and patterns in valid ways.

In their interactive session they are passing on skills, tips, and tricks from real-world examples on becoming a truly effective data-driven leader.

07/13/2026

It’s Pinnacle EMS week! Join FirstWatch leaders and pioneering customer-partners tomorrow for the 18th Annual FirstWatch EMS User Update Meeting offering a behind-the-scenes look at how data is being used to strengthen entire EMS and fire systems.

This session highlights how FirstWatch works alongside agencies as a strategic improvement partner—leveraging AI, purposeful dashboards, and deep performance insight to turn information into action, alignment, and measurable results where they matter

Tuesday, July 14 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Silver Pearl 1

https://firstwatch.net/pinnacle-2026/ Fitch & Associates

FirstWatch at Pinnacle 2026Jenny Abercrombie2026-06-23T15:12:38-07:00 FirstWatch at Pinnacle 2026 Conference Website July 13-16 | Sheraton San Diego Resort, San Diego, California We are thrilled to be a Strategic Partner at this year’s Pinnacle conference and are looking forward to connecting with...

07/10/2026

Roll call time - who is going to Pinnacle EMS next week? If so join Dr. Silvia Verdugo, FirstWatch Medical Director, and Dustin Gonzalez from Santa Clara County EMS at the Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum as they explore one of the biggest challenges in modern EMS: how fire, transport, EMS and public health agencies can look at the very same incident and reach very different conclusions based on the metrics they prioritize.

Their session, “What are the Numbers? Depends on Who You Ask!”, will examine the pitfalls of disconnected data, why perspective matters, and practical approaches for reconciling information to build a shared understanding of system performance and community outcomes. If your agency relies on data to drive decisions, this is a session not to miss.

📍 Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum
📅 Wednesday, July 15
🕐 1:00–2:15 PM
📍 Pacific Jewel AB

Stop by the FirstWatch booth while you’re at Pinnacle to learn how agencies across North America are turning data into actionable intelligence that improves operations, clinical quality, and patient care.

07/08/2026

Happy International Paramedics Day! Today marks the birthday of Dominique-Jean Larrey, a pivotal figure in the history of paramedicine. It recognizes contributions to community, military, and emergency healthcare and public safety. Thank you for responding!

07/08/2026

Time for a Taigman Top Tip from our friends at Prodigy EMS

Mike Taigman

07/07/2026

It’s Tuesday and it’s….. nope…. It’s Validating Val!

This week Terry Fitch welcomes ‘Validating’ Val Popovich, Business Analyst here at FirstWatch who explains her role and her focus on customer success. Also a cameo from none other than Data Dave ( more from Dave next week)

This episode of TT was recorded at the Catamaran Resort and Spa, Mission Beach San Diego - the future location of the 2026 FirstWatch Collaborate Live Conference - full details here: https://firstwatch.net/collaborate-live/

07/04/2026

250 years of a nation built on service.

America’s story has always been one of resilience, innovation and people stepping forward when their communities need them most.

As we celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we recognize those who continue that tradition every day—first responders, healthcare professionals, military personnel, public safety teams and the countless others who serve with dedication and purpose.

From all of us at FirstWatch, we wish everyone a safe and happy America 250 celebration.

Happy Independence Day. 🇺🇸