Emergency Medical Services

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Section manages the delivery of medical services by OCFA emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

Essential to providing care is our continuing quality improvement (CQI) program, guided by our physician medical director and implemented by our nurse educators. CQI begins with education at both the emergency medical technician and paramedic levels for both career and reserve personnel.

In addition to ongoing training, the EMS Section serves as a quality assurance resource through its continuous review of patient care. The Section is also responsible for EMS supply and equipment evaluation and purchasing, as well as monitoring and tracking paramedic licensure and EMT-1 certifications. It oversees ambulance contract administration, including management of the ALS and medical supply pass-through fees program.

Additionally, the EMS Section acts as a liaison to county and state regulatory agencies, hospitals, ambulance providers, and other EMS organizations, such as the State FIRESCOPE EMS Committee. The Section ensures adequate paramedic staffing through recruitment, selection, support, evaluation, and accreditation of prospective paramedics. It also participates in the review of local, state, and national legislation, regulations, and policies affecting EMS. Members of the Section contribute to EMS workgroups, committees, and advisory boards at the county, state, and federal levels. The Section is also responsible for OCFA’s immunization and communicable disease prevention and surveillance program.