From the beginning, EMS Technology Solutions, the maker of Operative IQ, has been on a mission to help first responders. As we celebrate our 15 year anniversary on December 18, 2022, we thought it would be fun to look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

It all started with a simple inventory tracking tool that was built to help a local Georgia EMS Agency solve problems with stocking and ordering medical supplies.

They had a small space to store supplies and it was difficult for them to control supply costs and ultimately reduce the amount of on-hand supplies. The agency looked at inventory control software offerings but they didn’t find something that worked well for medical supplies. The solutions on the market at the time were designed for warehouses or big retail. Nothing seemed quite right for their needs.

That’s when EMS Technology Solutions was born.

Our Founder and CEO, EJ Aufderheide, started to build a software application that would be purpose-built for EMS Agencies to track medical supply inventory and control inventory costs.

Over the past 15 years, that inventory tracking tool has grown into a robust software offering that includes asset management, narcotics tracking, fleet maintenance, RFID solutions, and more.

Everything that EMS Technology Solutions has developed has been built with the customer in mind. Our Senior Business Analyst, Oksana Semenska, will celebrate 14 years with us soon. She said the company’s vision has “always been to help first responders be more efficient.”

As EMS Technology Solutions acquired more customers and learned more about them, the technology grew as well. Aufderheide said customers consistently asked for the company to design new solutions, and we rose to the challenge.

“Can it do this? Can it do that?,” the customers asked. “Next we built the purchasing module and then the assets module,” Aufderheide said.

Innovation has been driven by the ambition to anticipate and keep up with customer’s needs, as well as the changing technology that customers use to access the system. At first, it was rare to find customers that had wireless internet. Then, as the use of wireless internet became more mainstream, customers were switching from using Toughbook laptops to using iPads. More recently, customers have moved from using iPads to using smartphones.

“We are constantly challenging ourselves to keep up with the new technology,” Aufderheide said. 

Over the years, we have introduced new modules and applications to support our customers, like 2022’s Operative IQ Front Line, which is built to function beautifully on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

“We have developed faster ways to do everyday operations,” Semenska said.

EMS Technology Solutions has grown to support more than just EMS agencies. Wework heavily with Fire Departments, Police Departments, and Air Medical Agencies. Additionally, we support some Veterinary Clinics, Colleges, and Universities.

We have also developed RFID solutions that lead the market. In 2023 and beyond, we will be expanding on our RFID offerings to make it even easier for first responders to track their inventory, assets, and narcotics.

“We spent the last seven years educating people on RFID and people were reluctant because of the cost and now people are more comfortable,” Aufderheide said.

In 2023, we plan to introduce improvements to the Fleet Maintenance module and Operative IQ Front Line. We will also be rolling out a completely new module and a new RFID product. Our goal continues to be to support our customers and push the boundaries of innovation.

“We actually do what we say we are going to do,” Aufderheide said. “We make promises and then we actually deliver, we turn around and make things happen very quickly.”

Thank you for your support over these past 15 years, the best is yet to come!

From the beginning, EMS Technology Solutions, the maker of Operative IQ, has been on a mission to help first responders. As we celebrate our 15 year anniversary on December 18, 2022, we thought it would be fun to look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.  

15 Years of EMS Technology Solutions

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Clayton County Fire and Emergency Service is a combination fire and EMS all-hazards department consisting of fire and emergency medical services, plus an emergency management agency. We have 14 fire stations and 367 employees. We use Operative IQ for a multitude of things, the biggest being EMS soft supply and pharmaceutical management. This probably covers about 70 percent of what we use the system for; the remaining 30 percent deals with fire equipment supply management, EMA supply and equipment management, and questionnaires. Reporting, vehicle checks, and anything else from a logistical standpoint are all funneled through Operative IQ in some way.

Before Operative IQ, we had a different program in place. The biggest thing it did not do that Operative IQ does was receive supplies in, put them on the shelf, issue them to a unit and track its usage. Operative IQ gave me the ability to track supplies from the time I order it and issue it to the time it is used on a patient, then ordered and replaced again.

In the calendar year for 2012 we saw a 42 percent reduction of on hand stock. This equates to a savings of roughly $57,000 per year from on hand stock. We make four supply orders each year. If I run a report for the inventory usage for October through December, Operative IQ gives me the ability to see what we used in those three months. I can take that data and see that there was a 6 percent volume increase for inventory. Then I bump everything up by 10 percent when ordering inventory to account for a call volume increase. The reporting feature also allows us to reduce our on hand stock to avoid wasting inventory.

Reporting in particular has saved us a lot of time. The ability to build reports, preset them to gather data, and be able to email them to certain people on a daily basis is very helpful. Questionnaires can immediately notify staff about an issue or situation that needs attention.

Our original budget for EMS supplies for 12 months used to be $250,000 per year. Operative IQ has dropped it to $190,000 per year. The savings we’ve seen have allowed us to reduce our operating budget as it pertains to both EMS and fire.

It’s been a great experience from a customer service standpoint and I’m extremely pleased with everything.

Tim Sweat
Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services
Deputy Chief EMA Logistics

Clayton County Fire and Emergency Service is a combination fire and EMS all-hazards department consisting of fire and emergency medical services, plus an emergency management agency.

Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services

Would you like to better identify narcotics divergence? Join us as Justin Reed of Cy-Fair shares SOPs that are guided by DEA best practices, setting up CSOS and so much more. 

Client Success Webinar: Narcotics Tracking and DEA Best Practices

 I would buy a few mansions and islands, own a couple of planes, definitely a massive yacht, make sure all my friends and family are taken care of and I may even buy the Atlanta Falcons and see if I can get them back to the Super Bowl - well...that may be a stretch, but life would be good!

Though it may sound like all fun and games, this number is not auspicious - it is worrisome.

Every year, it is estimated that $73 billion is connected to drug diversion in the United States (

 Drug Diversion is the transfer of a controlled substance from a lawful to an unlawful channel of distribution or use, basically stealing and/or using drugs.

The impact of this problem lies not only in the billions of dollars expended, it also includes loss of lives, heavy addictions, incarcerations, departments shut down, huge fines to businesses, and careers lost.

Controlled substances are an enormous part of patient care. Professionals within hospitals, EMS agencies, Fire Departments, pharmacies, nursing care facilities, and health clinics are often vulnerable to drug diversion and addiction by the nature of their jobs. 

There are many ways to divert drugs and an addict will do whatever it takes to get what they need to feed their addiction. Drug diversion is a tricky problem to manage. Patient care from hospitals to emergency management services rely on trust and modest record-keeping tracking their narcotics. 

How can we reduce this problematic situation without compromising quality care for the people who need the medicine? 

Twelve years ago, when I started working for Operative IQ, I worked directly with high-ranking personnel within EMS and Fire Departments. During conversations, I noticed specific themes or topics that surround controlled substances:

At that time, I could not help them with any of the problems! Luckily, we have come a long way, and today we have a solution. I am not saying I can put the Chris Farley 100% guarantee on the box, but I can tell you that accountability and visibility will become much clearer for you and your organization. 

Using an electronic narcotics tracking system like Operative IQ will give you the peace of mind of knowing that every transaction is being captured and completely documented within the software. You will be able to discover usage and waste trends, distinctive patterns, eliminate inconsistencies with documentation, view all transaction logs, audit details, and more. To make transactions even more secure, use the biometric feature simply because you cannot fake a fingerprint! 

Addiction is a disease and addicts might not think about the repercussions that not only happen to themselves, but to their families, friends, and coworkers. It is a slippery slope that can escalate quickly and get out of control. Let us all work together and see if we can eradicate the $73 billion and perhaps help the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl dream come to fruition.

What would you do with $73 Billion dollars? I would buy a few mansions, islands, own a few planes, definitely a massive yacht, make sure all my friends and family are taken care of and I may even buy the Detroit Lions and see if I can get them to the playoffs – well…that may be a stretch, but life would be good!

Though it may sound like all fun and games, this number is not auspicious – it is worrisome.

EMS Providers are Vulnerable Too

For the 4th time, EMS Technology Solutions appears on the Inc. 5000, Ranking no. 4476 with Three-Year Revenue Growth of 99 Percent

NEW YORK, August 16, 2022 – Today, Inc. revealed that EMS Technology Solutions is No. 4476 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment –its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“It’s truly an honor to make the Inc. 5000 list for the 4th year in a row,” EJ Aufderheide, CEO of EMS Technology Solutions, said. “We value our customers and our team above all else and that has proven to be successful for us.”

The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at 

. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23.

“The accomplishment of building one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.”

“It’s been quite a journey to support First Responders as they battle the pandemic and serve their communities,” Aufderheide said. “Our customers are doing vital work and we are proud to support them in their efforts.”

EMS Technology Solutions is the creator of Operative IQ. Providing software to the First Response Industry, we focus on operations management solutions to help agencies stay service ready. Operative IQ supports Emergency Medical Services, Fire Departments, Air Medical, Veterinary Clinics, and Law Enforcement agencies with inventory and asset management, narcotics tracking, fleet management and telematics, and RFID solutions.

Kate Jamison, Marketing Manager, (877)217-3707, 

Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent – not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies – as of December 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places. The top 500 companies on the Inc. 5000 are featured in Inc. magazine’s September issue. The entire Inc. 5000 can be found at 

The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit 

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, visit 

EMS Technology Solutions ranks no. 4476 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 Annual List

ENGAGE 2023 Highlight Reel

ENGAGE 2024 Save The Date

Considered heroes in the community, the job of a First Responder is no doubt selfless, dangerous and exciting! While many cannot fathom walking into a burning building, performing life-saving procedures, or going on a high-speed chase, for the men and women who do this every day – it is business as usual.

Yes, when you think of a Firefighter or Paramedic, the first thought that comes to mind is the incredibly important duties they perform every day. What most do not see, however, are the behind-the-scenes tasks that ensure these exciting responsibilities turn into successful and safe ones. By performing inventory and vehicle inspections, First Responders make certain that they are ready for the day – prepared for whatever is thrown at them.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lt. Bates of the Smyrna Fire Department in Georgia, a long-time user of Operative IQ’s Inventory and Asset Management Solution. Located just a few minutes outside of Atlanta, the City of Smyrna is home to roughly 56,000 residents.

Lt. Bates gave us an inside look of what it is like to be on the front lines and how Operative IQ has helped his department with the necessary, but tedious, daily tasks (that no crew member really enjoys) like inventory count, inspections and asset tracking.

Before Smyrna Fire was an Operative IQ customer, Lt. Bates was like most EMS Directors – doing inventory, ordering supplies and managing assets manually with paper, excel or a combination. At the start of his position, he knew there must be a better way. After doing his research and getting feedback from surrounding departments, Smyrna Fire started with Operative IQ. Now, several years later, Smyrna Fire is a star user for the system and tracks almost all of its medical supplies, drug bags and valued assets through Operative IQ.

While the idea of implementing a new software can seem daunting, it becomes just as habitual as the old process, only quicker and simpler. “It takes roughly 15 minutes to do a good daily truck check, whereas weekly checks are a bit more detailed and take up to 30 minutes. The Check Sheet is a guide for our staff to know where all needed equipment is and its serviceability,” Lt. Bates said. He also likes that their crew can complete the check off as a team. “The newer members will check the cabinets/compartments, the paramedic will check all ALS equipment and medications and our Sergeants will check the serviceability of the apparatus,” he said. If the crew is missing inventory, a request is made to department heads and is restocked from the supply room.

“Operative IQ has also helped us with routine checks and feedback on missing or broken equipment,” Bates said. “This gives Response Chiefs and administrative staff the ability to make quick adjustments and fixes to keep our response times quick for citizens.”

The check sheet that Smyrna Fire uses connects directly to Operative IQ’s system Back Office and lets the admin staff know exactly what supplies are being used, when, where and by whom. The technology allows the crew and staff to connect quickly and seamlessly – ensuring trucks and crew are ready to respond.

Just as easy as Operative IQ makes daily and weekly check offs for the crew, the software aims to make purchasing and managing supplies equally as smooth for the those responsible for these tasks. Lt Bates mentions that It now only takes about 15 minutes to complete a purchase order, a huge improvement from before using Operative IQ. Based on supply usage from the vehicles and routine cycle counts, the system will suggest items to reorder which eliminates the guessing work and eyeballing we are too familiar with. While Lt. Bates says the ordering process is seamless, he mentions that being able to see supply levels at any given moment and do cost analysis is extremely helpful and beneficial when buying supplies.

“Before Operative IQ we had no way to track our medical supply usage. Firefighters would come up to the main station with a paper list of supply needs at any time, which was difficult for the admin team to a good track on supply needs and inventory. With a set guideline on what supplies should be at each station, when to order supplies and the ability to see supply levels, this keeps our firefighters call ready.”

Communication in this industry is key to a safe and successful shift. With tools like the electronic check sheet, purchasing functionality and reporting features, Operative IQ allows the daily tasks of each team member to interconnect on a much greater level, ensuring the safety and readiness of every First Responder.

Ensuring Safety and Readiness for Every First Responder – A Day in the Life of Smyrna City Fire

, we were excited to see how much benefit customers would truly gain from the face-to-face training. As it turns out, there is a clear advantage to onsite training over traditional/virtual training. In a brief interview with Fire Captain Josh Mandolini of the Big Bear Fire Department in Big Bear Lake, California, the benefits of onsite training became apparent: Learning how the software can fit the agency’s needs, and the ability to go beyond “good enough”.

Can you give me a brief description of some of the reasons why you guys chose Operative IQ and Professional Services Training?

“Well, it started out as we just wanted a way to 

, and at some point we decided we were going to start purchasing our own EMS supplies. We were previously being stocked by the hospital so once we took that over we had no idea what we annually spent on this or monthly spent on that. We were doing a bulk order here, a bulk order there and having no idea what was coming in or going out. We looked at some scanning software, and we just happened to hear about you [Operative IQ] at a trade show. Once we saw your software we said, “Uh, why would we even think about scanning software? It doesn’t even make sense.” So that’s kind of how it all evolved. Inventory became our priority, and it’s doing well for what we needed in that category.”

I’m glad it’s working out for you! What made you chose the onsite training service over the traditional training?

“I wanted to make sure that if we’re going to start, we’re going to start right and not mess it up. I didn’t want to come back 3 years from now and say, ‘we should have been doing it this way.”

Right. Using it how it’s meant to be used and getting the full benefit from it.

When you’ve purchased software in the past, was there training involved or were you pretty much on your own?

“It’s kind of hard to describe but it was just one guy running the show and he’s thinking, ‘Oh, this is how I would do it.’ And instead of talking to the people who actually designed the software and going, ‘how do people use it’ or, ‘how do you use it, how was it designed to be used?’ I think that’s more important. To actually understand how it was designed to be used and are we using it that way.”

Operative IQ is such a huge software, do you think that Onsite Training gave you the ability to customize it to match how you do your current processes?

“Honestly, I think if I were to compare Operative IQ to some of the other software we use around here, it’s is probably one of the more user friendly. It almost seemed like we really didn’t need the training once we got here. That was our initial thought.

Once we got Malia at the table and we were doing it, our guys had so many questions that it was obvious that we weren’t ready. They thought they were ready because the software is so easy to use. Sitting down with Malia, you be like, ‘Well, yeah, that is the simple way and that will work, but why would you not do it this way? Why would you not track expirations?’

The one guy being in charge of something and saying, ‘Well this works for me,’ but in reality he wasn’t using the whole software. I think that’s the benefit. We didn’t feel like we needed it because it was such an easy software to get running on by ourselves but I think we would have missed all the little fine details to truly understanding.”

Do you feel that the two days was enough? I understand that you guys purchased Fleet as well as Inventory Management.

“I definitely think we got our money’s worth. But I could see taking 3 more days with her. She kept on complimenting us, making it sound like we had done so much work prior to her getting here. We were feeling like we didn’t need her because we thought we had squared it all away.”

Having a trainer at your disposal is always a good thing to have

“She came out and she did an awesome job. I definitely felt like she had our back. She was there for us. It went well.”

Did you feel that everything was addressed that you had questions or concerns about?

“Absolutely. When she came, we didn’t really think that we had anything to address. She brought more light to the software. Like, ‘Oh, this is what it is capable of.’ Being able to talk about it over the phone or looking at a PowerPoint we can see that it’s an awesome software but to actually see all the tiny little ins and outs and the way to line stuff up better and to have someone sit down right next to you and say, ‘ok this is how we’re doing it, this is how you set this up.’ That was beneficial.

If I had one more day, that one day would have been on 

. That’s all it would have been. What kind of reports do we need? How do we set those up? And a step by step of how these little buttons work.”

If you guys add more of our features in the future, would you be interested in professional services again?

“I would recommend it to anybody. Unless you told me that something was coming, did you have anything in mind?”

There are always things coming! You said that you would definitely recommend us, and that’s great! Do you have any other comments or anything else you’d like to add?

“I definitely think it’s a great software. I think it leans toward fire service and lines up well with it. We do like it, and we do appreciate the support that came out to us.”

When Operative IQ rolled out its Professional Services: Onsite Training, we were excited to see how much benefit customers would truly gain from the face-to-face training. As it turns out, there is a clear advantage to onsite training over traditional/virtual training. In a brief interview with Fire Captain Josh Mandolini of the Big Bear Fire Department in Big Bear Lake, California, the benefits of onsite training became apparent: Learning how the software can fit the agency’s needs, and the ability to go beyond “good enough”.

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