EMS

Central Fire District provides first response Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedic services to Capitola City and the unincorporated areas of Soquel, Live Oak, Aptos, Rio Del Mar and La Selva Beach in Santa Cruz County.  Each station staffs a Captain Paramedic (1 assigned per shift) who reports to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Battalion Chief facilitate the delivery of high quality and effective patient care through a staff of highly trained Paramedics. The District operates several fully equipped ALS fire apparatus with 7 being fully staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with a minimum of one Paramedic and two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).  The District is a participant in Master Mutual Aid in the event of major disasters.

The District’s EMS division is an active participant in the Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services System-Participating in EMS Subcommittees and sits as a representative in the EMS Section of the Santa Cruz County Fire Chief’s Association. The District is one of the founding members of the JPA known as the Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services Integration Authority (EMSIA). The EMSIA has been recognized by the State of California’s EMS Authority as a Continuing Education Provider for Paramedics (ALS) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

The District is a participant in Santa Cruz County’s Electronic EMS patient care record (PCR) system. The PCR system captures patient data upon receipt of a 9-1-1 call, through the EMS response, and into the hospital. 

B-129-16-083

The District is committed to the protection of an individual’s private patient healthcare information as referenced in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. 

Santa Cruz County EMS has a contract with a third party ambulance transport provider for the ground transport of all patients. The delivery of exceptional EMS in Santa Cruz County involves the utilization of ALS helicopter service providers.  The District routinely works with the various transport providers in order to rapidly transport critical patients from its beaches, commercial, industrial, urban and rural areas to definitive care.  
 
The District in coordination with Santa Cruz County EMS, the EMSIA and member agencies conducts extensive in-service training on a routine basis to insure the most up to date EMS skills, procedures, and practices are implemented and delivered to the citizens and visitors of the District.