The Emergency Medical Services Section

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) section of the Emergency Response Division is responsible for reducing the incdents of death and disability by providing prompt and effective pre-hospital emergency treatment and transportation to victims of illness or injury. The Department responded to 63,104 requests for emergency medical services in 2001. Of the 536 personnel assigned to the Emergency Response Division, 275 are assigned to Advanced Life Support (ALS) positions on twenty-three (23) ALS rescue units and one (1) ALS pumper. Each rescue unit is staffed by three (3) firefighters, of at least two (2) who are paramedics.

The EMS section of the Emergency Response Division is headed by the Chief of EMS, who is responsible for the overall administration of this section. Working under the EMS Chief are EMS Captains, one per shift, who serve as an EMS training and resource officer on their respective shifts. The EMS section, in conjunction with The Paramedic Instructor (Training Division) and the Quality Management Section (Technical Services Division), work under the direction of the Medical Director to provide the highest level of EMS service to our citizens. In order to maintain this high standard of care, the EMS section constantly evaluates new medical equipment, techniques, and procedures and adopts those that will improve patient care. In addition, all EMS personnel are required to complete refresher training and pass protocol testing to ensure proficiency.