The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division is managed by a Battalion Chief who reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Operations.

All Santa Rosa Fire Department suppression personnel are medically trained to the "Emergency Medical Technician" (EMT) level and are proficient in the use of emergency cardiac defibrillators which are carried on all fire apparatus. Thirty-five suppression personnel have received additional training and are licensed paramedics. EMS personnel receive extensive training in fire suppression, emergency medical care, hazardous materials, rope rescue, swift water rescue, confined space rescue, auto extrication and multi-casualty incidents.

In 2002, Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) and American Medical Response (AMR) joined together to create a Fire Engine Company Paramedic Program. The department now has paramedics on nine of the ten Santa Rosa fire engines which are staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The tenth paramedic engine is currently browned-out (closed) due to budget shortfalls.

To improve the performance and quality of patient care, the EMS Division utilizes a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Program through the use of an EMS Peer Review Committee process. The EMS Peer Review Committee is comprised of the SRFD EMS Division Chief, AMR’s CQI Coordinator, three SRFD Paramedic Field Training Officers (FTO) and three AMR Paramedic FTO’s. Together they provide a perspective on patient care issues raised by medical authorities. The CQI Program identifies weaknesses in the system and recommends changes in training, education and equipment so that all patients receive the highest quality patient care.

The EMS Division utilizes several different committees to examine new medical equipment and technology in an effort to continually provide the best in patient care and employee safety.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department is committed to protecting your medical information and follows the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to insure privacy and security protection of your personal health information. For further information about HIPPA please check the California Office Of HIPAA Implementation (CalOHI).

For information on medical policies and procedures please check with the Coastal Valleys Regional EMS Agency.

To assist EMS personnel during a emergency you can fill out a Personal Medical Information Card.