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Welcome to Medical Services!

General Information
Emergency Medical Services
Ambulance Service and Billing

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General Information

Prior to 1985, the Phoenix Fire Department relied on private ambulance services to transport its patients. At the time, seven ambulance companies were on a rotational dispatch policy. Average response times were unacceptable, approaching 20 minutes and a standard of a ten (10) minute response time was met only 50% of the time.

The City of Phoenix chose to go to a single transportation service. The Phoenix Fire Department was permitted to compete in the bid process for this service. The Phoenix Fire Department was chosen, and in November 1985, a Fire Department rescue service was implemented. Since implementation of the Phoenix Fire Department Emergency Transportation Service (ETS), response to all areas within the boundaries of Phoenix has improved substantially. The service consistently maintains a response time of under 10 minutes 88.5% of the time.

Today's rescue transportation system is composed of 31 rescues, staffed with paramedics and EMT firefighters responding from fire stations.

Some of the service delivery goals of emergency transportation are imposed by State Regulation, (i.e., response time; staffing; training; fee for service). In addition, Phoenix Fire Department also uses an Ambulance Oversight Committee, directed by the City Manager, which meets regularly to review progress, correlate expectations, and define goals. The Department has also implemented "Ambulance Change Teams" (ACT) as a tool to evaluate, develop and implement program improvements as part of the Department's approach to Quality Management. These teams consist of management personnel and members assigned to ambulances.

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Emergency Medical Services

The Phoenix Fire Department is the sole provider of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) within the City of Phoenix. The Department has a long history of emergency medical service, going back to 1926, providing "inhalator" service to the community. In the 1950’s, the Department trained all members to American Red Cross Advanced First Aid levels. In 1971, the first EMT’s were certified and, in 1974, all members completed EMT certification. The first paramedics were certified in December of that year.

The Fire Department uses a fully integrated system, utilizing dual-role firefighters in the delivery of fire and emergency medical services. Approximately 900 firefighters are trained to the level of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and about 300 firefighters are Certified Emergency Paramedics (CEPs).

The EMS Section staff consists of the Deputy Chief, Medical Director, Programs Manager, and three Staff Captains. In addition, there are four Registered Nurses who serve under the Programs Manager. Three of the Nurses are paired with the staff Captains as district representatives for various programs, including EMT, paramedic training, liaisons with the base hospitals, and the continuous quality improvement program (CQI). The fourth RN serves as the EMS prevention services program coordinator; responsible for the Baby Shots program, the Adult Flu program, and other related events.

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Emergency Transportation

Prior to 1985, the Phoenix Fire Department relied on private ambulance companies to transport its patients. At that time, seven ambulance companies participated in our rotational dispatch policy. Average response times were unacceptable; approaching 20 minutes and a standard of a 10 minute response time was met only 50% of the time.

The City of Phoenix chose to change to a single transportation service. The Phoenix Fire Department was permitted to compete in the bidding process for this service and was chosen as the ambulance provider for the City of Phoenix. In November 1985, Phoenix Fire Department Emergency Transportation Services (ETS) was implemented. Since its inception, ambulance response times to all areas within the boundaries of Phoenix have improved substantially. The service consistently maintains a response time of under 10 minutes 88.5% of the time.

Services for ambulance billing and collection services has been contracted to a private sector medical billing vendor, but the ETS administrative staff performs quality control and support functions that have improved cash receipts.

The State of Arizona regulates the ambulance industry and mandates a standardized fee schedule. Currently in 2005, the rate table includes an ALS (Advanced Life Support) base rate of $621.08, BLS (Basic Life Support) base rate of $553.24, plus $12.88 per mile, and cost recovery only for disposable medical supplies.

Although some of our service delivery goals are imposed by the State (e.g. response time, staffing, training, fees for service), the Department remains committed in its efforts to constantly improve service delivery. As part of the Department's approach to Total Quality Management, the Department has implemented labor management teams as a tool to evaluate, develop and implement program improvements. These teams consist of management personnel, members assigned to ambulances and representatives from United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association, Local 493.