San Diego’s emergency medical services system stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovative leadership, resulting in unprecedented levels of service for our community. Under the guidance of our dedicated fire chiefs and in partnership with Falck Mobile Health, San Diego’s EMS system has provided residents with the best care possible, even in the most challenging times.
Over the past year, our EMS officials have worked tirelessly with our elected and appointed leaders to improve the system, especially after the pandemic impacted all healthcare industries. Their efforts have ensured that our community remains safe and well cared for, and they deserve to be celebrated not just in times of crisis, but all the time.
San Diego’s EMS system combines the strengths of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and private EMS providers like Falck. This partnership has enabled San Diego to overcome staffing shortages created during the pandemic and meet response time goals more effectively. The public/private collaboration has clearly exceeded expectations:
As San Diego’s primary ambulance provider, Falck’s contributions to our EMS system are immense and include:
- Responding to more than 138,000 emergencies year-to-date
- Hiring 112 new EMTs and 24 external paramedics, and promoting 24 individuals to paramedic roles
- Launching scholarship programs, free public CPR training and blood-pressure checks in underserved communities
Investing in training programs has been a cornerstone of Falck’s strategy. These programs have helped aspiring EMTs transition to paramedic roles, providing them with better career opportunities and creating a steady pipeline of qualified professionals. This proactive approach has been crucial in maintaining full paramedic staffing levels, even amid national shortages and greatly benefited San Diegans.
The partnership between Falck and the San Diego Fire-Rescue has yielded impressive results. The combined efforts of these two organizations have created an EMS system that is both reliable and responsive, capable of meeting the community’s needs with exceptional efficiency. The city enjoys the highest level of service it has ever had, thanks to this collaborative effort.
As we look forward, it is important to recognize the unsung heroes who make our EMS system so effective. The EMTs, paramedics and support staff are the heart and soul of our emergency response. Their dedication and hard work, often under the most challenging conditions, are the foundation of our community’s safety and well-being.
Some have questioned whether to extend the current EMS partnership, but the results speak for themselves: This collaboration has provided San Diego with unprecedented levels of service, stability and responsiveness, proving its value to the community. We are eager to see the city and Falck continue this successful partnership, building on the achievements of the past year and further enhancing the quality of EMS services in San Diego.
Bob Ilko is a former police officer and community volunteer who is president of the Scripps Ranch Civic Association.
