Starting on November 15th 2018 Oxnard Fire Department increased the level of emergency medical service that it provides the city. A paramedic squad apparatus was put in service and has the ability to provide ALS (advanced-life support) treatment. This unit responds to high acuity emergencies and is strategically placed in the city to help fill gaps in coverage that occur during the day due to a high call volume throughout the city. This significant enhancement increases services by providing Paramedic level care in environments previously restricted to basic level care. For example, during an extended extrication or technical rescue the patient can be treated during the extraction.
The Apparatus will have an EMT squad driver and a paramedic. This team will not be the transporting unit in the event that the patient goes to the hospital; however, on critical patients the paramedic can assist the transporting medic and ride into the hospital.
Oxnard fire is proud to have this increase in service level. We do consider ourselves an “All-Risk” agency and this increase medical service is congruent with that mission.