Program Overview

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program’s purpose is to conduct emergency medical services research, manage and conduct EMS training, maintain EMS equipment inventories including pharmaceuticals, manage total quality improvement of EMS services, and serve as the District liaison to the San Mateo County Local Emergency Services Agency (LEMSA) as well as the District’s Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO).

Management Oversight

The EMS program is directed by the Division Chief of Training with oversight authority delegated to the Emergency Medical Services Manager. This program has one full-time equivalent personnel. This program contains expenses pertaining to general medical supplies and equipment purchases, general contract services, and overtime for training and program administration.

Program Objectives

• Interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, rules, and policies.
• Manage all EMS Division related activities of the District including research, training, equipment, and oversight.
• Provide an on-going Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan for objective and systematic evaluation.
• Provide a mechanism for evaluating and resolving identified problems.
• Participate in LEMSA’s process of system development, monitoring, and Quality Assurance.
• Develop and sustain relationships and open channels of communication with all county ALS providers, receiving hospital, and LEMSA personnel.
• Develop and sustain an open channel of communication with all personnel concerning all matters pertinent to EMS or infection control.

FY 2024-25 Accomplishments

• Ensured paramedic compliance with new county requirements by providing in-house Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR training.
• Enhanced collaborative training efforts by supporting annual Pediatric Advanced Wellness & Safety (PAWWS) training with Lucille Packard and hosting a PsySTART Responder Train the Trainer class with Alameda County LEMSA.
• Developed and implemented a new paramedic school sponsorship program, supporting three personnel in their advanced training.
• Conducted comprehensive training sessions encompassing trauma case reviews, cardiac arrest management scenarios, and annual policy/protocol updates.
• Delivered EMS-focused phase training to probationary firefighters, including participation in the San Mateo County new hire orientation.
• Improved narcotics management by overseeing the Apparatus Committee's installation of narcotic safes in all Fire Response Units (FRUs) and upgrading the district's main narcotic safe to accommodate increased supply for Strike Team deployments, all funded by the EMS Division.
• Contributed to district-wide preparedness and improvement by continuing the COVID-19 pandemic After-Action Review, sponsoring personnel for EMS World Expo, and actively participating in county, strategic planning, safety, and policy committees.
• Prioritized personnel health and safety by administering influenza vaccinations to all staff.

FY 2025-26 Program Initiatives

• Continue developing and finalizing the District’s After-Action Review for the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provide comprehensive, mandatory training for all EMTs and paramedics in essential EMS topics, focusing on areas for system improvement.
• Collaborate with peers to plan and support a South Zone MCI drill.
• Maintain and enhance the Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance Program to assess treatment, ensure protocol adherence, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Represent the District at county EMS meetings, seminars, and conferences, and support the investigation of relevant regulations and local protocols.
• Work with Stanford to deliver the PAWWS Program annually to all EMTs and paramedics.
• Collaborate with the Training Division to refine the EMS component of probationary firefighter phase testing and assist with EMS skill evaluations.
• Ensure smooth EMS transitions for probationary firefighters throughout their probationary period.