EMS Division
The White Ridge Department of Fire-Rescue & EMS' Bureau of EMS Operations was reactivated in 2017 to meet the growing needs of the modern EMS system.
To learn more about the EMS2020 initiative, visit the "The Department" page
To learn more about the EMS2020 initiative, visit the "The Department" page
The EMS Division at its peak of the EMS2020 initiative will operate six ALS ambulances, two ALS QRS unit, one ALS Squad, and one Division Chief vehicle.
All Engine Companies are ALS equipped.
All Truck Companies are BLS equipped.
All Squad Companies are ALS equipped.
All Rescue Companies are BLS equipped
The Quick Response Vehicle and Specialized Response Unit are both ALS equipped.
All Engine Companies are ALS equipped.
All Truck Companies are BLS equipped.
All Squad Companies are ALS equipped.
All Rescue Companies are BLS equipped
The Quick Response Vehicle and Specialized Response Unit are both ALS equipped.
Operations
As a requirement of employment, all White Ridge Firefighters are cross-trained as EMTs or Paramedics. EMT-B certification must be completed within one year of the employment start date and Paramedic school available after 2 years BLS experience. To ensure proficiency, all providers must spend at least two 10-hour shifts per month on an EMS unit. Full-time EMS providers must spend two shifts on an Engine Co.
White Ridge Fire-Rescue EMS works hand in hand with contracted EMS provider MedLink EMS, and calls are dispatched to the first available and closest unit, regardless of providing agency.
If an ECHO coded call is received, the closest emergency unit is dispatched along with the first available ambulance, sometimes bringing "non-traditional" EMS providers including fire apparatus, police units, park rangers, etc.
All White Ridge Fire-Rescue EMS units are Advanced Life Support (ALS) staffed and equipped, and calls are triaged using EMD trained personnel at Sierra County Communications. Once triaged, the closest available ambulance or unit is dispatched to respond to the incident.
As a requirement of employment, all White Ridge Firefighters are cross-trained as EMTs or Paramedics. EMT-B certification must be completed within one year of the employment start date and Paramedic school available after 2 years BLS experience. To ensure proficiency, all providers must spend at least two 10-hour shifts per month on an EMS unit. Full-time EMS providers must spend two shifts on an Engine Co.
White Ridge Fire-Rescue EMS works hand in hand with contracted EMS provider MedLink EMS, and calls are dispatched to the first available and closest unit, regardless of providing agency.
If an ECHO coded call is received, the closest emergency unit is dispatched along with the first available ambulance, sometimes bringing "non-traditional" EMS providers including fire apparatus, police units, park rangers, etc.
All White Ridge Fire-Rescue EMS units are Advanced Life Support (ALS) staffed and equipped, and calls are triaged using EMD trained personnel at Sierra County Communications. Once triaged, the closest available ambulance or unit is dispatched to respond to the incident.
EMS Unit Assignments
EMS 1: Station 1
EMS 2: Station 2
EMS 3: Station 3
EMS 4: Station 4
EMS 5: Station 8
EMS 6: Station 15
EMS 7: Station 14
EMS 8: Station 16
Division 4 (EMS Division Chief): Station 1
Squad 4: Station 5
EMS Incidents
Mass Casualty Incident Level 1: 5-7 patients
Mass Casualty Incident Level 2: 8-10 patients
Mass Casualty Incident Level 3: 11-50 patients
Mass Casualty Incident Level 4: 51-100 patients
Mass Casualty Incident Level 5: 100+ patients
Priority 1: Immediate life threats, ALS response
Priority 2: Immediate life threats, BLS response
Priority 3: No immediate life threats, BLS response
Priority 4: Interfacility transfer
EMD Coding
EMS calls are dispatched through Sierra County Emergency Communications using IAED EMD ProQA.
ECHO: Emergency response bringing closest Fire, EMS, or Law Enforcement unit
DELTA: Emergency response bringing closest ALS unit
CHARLIE: Non-emergency response bring closest ALS unit
BRAVO: Emergency response bringing closest BLS unit
ALPHA: Non-emergency response bringing closest BLS unit
OMEGA: Non-emergency with no priority complaints, bringing non-emergency transport unit
Area Hospitals
Guardian Trauma Center: Level 1 Trauma Center
Guardian Children's Hospital: Pediatric Specialty Center
University Hospital: General/Research Hospital, Infectious Disease Specialty Center
Northshore Hospital: Cardiac/Neurological Specialty Center
Central Hospital: General Hospital, OBGYN/Labor & Delivery Specialty Center
Pine Hill Community Medical Center: Community Medicine Clinic
Medical Center of Excellence Township: Community Medicine Clinic