More About Emergency Medical Services

In 1976, the County became the first in California to use a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to award exclusive ambulance service rights, creating a countywide paramedic system. The County has continued to conduct RFPs over the years, ensuring continuous improvement in emergency medical services.

The current emergency medical response system, established through a public-private partnership with American Medical Response (AMR), includes paramedic ambulance services and first response. The system also benefits from centralized dispatch, active involvement from emergency department professionals and access to air ambulance providers. The County sets user fees for services, funding both ambulance and fire service response without subsidy.

In 1999, the system was enhanced with firefighter paramedics on fire engines and AMR ambulances, solidifying a successful collaboration between local fire agencies, AMR, and the County’s EMS office.

Some of the key features of the current San Mateo County emergency medical response system include:

• centralized dispatch for all 911 medical emergencies, including fire service first response and emergency ambulance
• a response time performance-based contract for emergency ambulance and paramedic first response
• supportive and involved emergency department physicians and nurses
• excellent air ambulance providers
• two Level I trauma centers, both outside the county but in close proximity to the north and south county lines