EMS System Overview

EMS Blue Line

San Diego County is the second most populous county in California with 18 incorporated cities and many unincorporated communities. The county is home to 3.3 million residents spread across an area greater than 4,500 square miles and includes an international border. The emergency medical services (EMS) delivery system ensures all residents and visitors have access to exceptional, timely, and patient-centered emergency medical care.

The San Diego County EMS Office, a division of San Diego County Fire, is the Board of Supervisors-designated Local EMS Agency (LEMSA). As the LEMSA, the San Diego County EMS Office oversees and coordinates the region’s EMS system. This coordination includes providing medical oversight, permitting ambulance providers, designating hospital services, and organizing shared data and communication platforms.

San Diego County system participants include local governments, fire protection districts, private ambulance providers, federal installations, tribal areas, a hospital district, and a County Service Area (CSA 17). This sophisticated system includes communication centers, first responders, advanced life support (paramedic) and basic life support (EMT) services, air rescue and air ambulance programs, and a network of hospitals that include various types of specialty care. Via the 9-1-1 system, EMS professionals deliver patients to the following specialized services:

  • 23 emergency departments (EDs) 
  • 18 stroke receiving centers
  • 14 cardiac receiving centers
  • 7 paramedic base hospitals
  • 6 trauma centers (5 adult and 1 pediatric)

 

By the Numbers: System Snapshot

6,634

Certified EMTs

3,455

Accredited Paramedics

14,000

Trauma Patients

255,000

EMS Responses

220,432

EMS Transports

1,153,654

Emergency Room Visits

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EMS System Components

San Diego County's EMS system has multiple components that work together. To learn more about the various components that support the EMS system, click on the tabs below.

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  • Communication Centers

    Access to the EMS system begins with 9-1-1 and the emergency communication centers serving San Diego County. There are four EMS Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). These centers perform the initial intake of 9-1-1 calls and direct emergency resources to the needed area.

    If you think you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

     

    City of San Diego Emergency Command & Data Center
    Agencies Served: Chula Vista Fire Department, Coronado Fire Department, Imperial Beach Fire Department, National City Fire Department, Poway Fire Department, and San Diego Fire & Rescue
    Emergency Medical Dispatch Plan Approval Status: No Plan Submitted  
    Pilot programs and other services: No current pilot authorizations
    Heartland Communications Facility Authority
    Agencies Served: Alpine Fire Protection District, Barona Fire Department, Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District, Heartland Fire & Rescue (Lemon Grove, La Mesa, El Cajon), Lakeside Fire Protection District, Santee Fire Department, San Miguel Fire & Rescue, Sycuan Fire Department, and Viejas Fire Department
    Emergency Medical Dispatch Plan Approval Status: Approved  
    Pilot programs and other services:
    • El Cajon Community Care Nurse Navigation Pilot Program
    North County Dispatch JPA
    Agencies Served: Carlsbad Fire Department, County Service Area 17, Del Mar Fire Department, Encinitas Fire Department, Escondido Fire Department, North County Fire Protection District (Fallbrook/Rainbow), Oceanside Fire Department, Pala Fire Department, Pauma Reservation Fire Department, Rancho Santa Fe Protection District, Rincon Fire Department, San Marcos Fire Department, San Pasqual Reservation Fire Department, Solana Beach Fire Department, Vista Fire Department, and Valley Center Fire Protection District
    Emergency Medical Dispatch Plan Approval Status: Pilot Approval
    Pilot programs and other services:
    • San Diego County OES Operational Area Organizer
    		  
    San Diego Interagency Communications Center
    Agencies Served: Campo Reservation Fire Protection District, Deer Springs Fire Protection District, San Diego County Fire Protection District (County Fire Ambulance Service Area), Santa Ysabel Reservation Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
    Emergency Medical Dispatch Plan Approval Status: Under Review
    Pilot programs and other services:
    • San Diego County Regional Air Ambulance Dispatch Center
    • San Diego County EMS Duty Officer Dispatch
  • First Responders/Fire Agencies: Non-Transport

    The following fire agencies provide 9-1-1 response and contract with a permitted ambulance provider for transportation. Agency contact information is for general, non-emergency purposes only.

    If you think you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

     

    Name Address Phone Number Level of Care
    Alpine Fire Protection District 1364 Tavern Road
    Alpine, CA 90901    		 (619) 445-2635 Paramedic
    Service Area: Alpine
    Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District 4900 Bonita Road
    Bonita, CA 91902    		 (619) 479-2346 Paramedic
    Service Area: Bonita-Sunnyside
    Campo Reservation Fire Protection District 36210 Church Road
    Campo, CA 91906    		 (619) 478-9046 EMT
    Service Area: Campo Reservation, La Posta Reservation, Manzanita Reservation, Ewiiaapaayp Reservation
    Del Mar Fire Department 2200 Jimmy Durante Blvd
    Del Mar, CA 92014    		 (858) 755-9313 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Del Mar
    Encinitas Fire Department 505 S. Vulcan
    Encinitas, CA 92024    		 (760) 633-2800 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Encinitas
    Heartland Fire & Rescue 8054 Allison Avenue
    La Mesa, CA 91942    		 (619) 667-1355 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of El Cajon, City of La Mesa, City of Lemon Grove
    Imperial Beach Fire Department 865 Imperial Beach Blvd
    Imperial Beach, CA 91932    		 (619) 423-8223 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Imperial Beach
    La Jolla Reservation Fire Department 1304 Harolds Road
    Pauma Valley, CA 92061    		 (760) 742-3741 EMT
    Service Area: La Jolla Reservation
    NASSCO Fire Department 2798 East Harbor Drive
    San Diego, CA 92113    		 (619) 544-8889 EMT
    Service Area: NASSCO facility
    National City Fire Department 1243 National City Blvd
    National City, CA 91950    		 (619) 336-4550 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of National City
    Pala Fire Department 34884 Lilac Extension Road
    Pala, CA 92059    		 (760) 742-1632 Paramedic
    Service Area: Pala Reservation
    Pauma Reservation Fire Department 1010 Pauma Reservation Road
    Pauma Valley, CA 92061    		 (760) 742-1289 EMT
    Service Area: Pauma Reservation
    Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District 18027 Calle Ambiente
    Suite 101
    Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067    		 (858) 756-5971 Paramedic
    Service Area: Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, 4-S Ranch, Sun Valley, Del Dios, Elfin Forest, Harmony Grove
    Rincon Fire Department 33485 Valley Center Road
    Valley Center, CA 92082    		 (760) 297-2300 Paramedic
    Service Area: Rincon Reservation
    San Diego Fire-Rescue Department 600 B Street
    Suite 1300
    San Diego, CA 92101    		 (619) 533-4300 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of San Diego
    San Miguel Fire & Rescue 2850 Via Orange Way
    Spring Valley, CA 91978    		 (619) 670-0500 Paramedic
    Service Area: Bostonia, Casa de Oro, Grossmont/Mount Helix, La Presa, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa
    San Pasqual Reservation Fire Department 16460 Kumeyaay Way
    Valley Center, CA 92082    		 (760) 749-7542 EMT
    Service Area: San Pasqual Reservation
    Santa Ysabel Fire Department 1 School House Canyon Road
    Santa Ysabel, CA 92070    		 (760) 765-3880 EMT
    Service Area: Santa Ysabel Reservation
    Solana Beach Fire Department 500 Lomas Santa Fe Drive
    Solana Beach, CA 92075    		 (858) 720-2407 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Solana Beach
    Valley Center Fire Protection District 28234 Lilac Road
    Valley Center, CA 92082    		 (760) 751-7600 Paramedic
    Service Area: Valley Center
  • First Responders/Fire Agencies: 9-1-1 Transport

    The following fire agencies provide 9-1-1 transportation. Agency contact information is for general, non-emergency purposes only.

    If you think you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

     

    Name Address Phone Number Level of Care
    Barona Fire Department 1112 Barona Road
    Lakeside, CA 92040    		 (619) 390-2794 Paramedic
    Service Area: Barona Reservation
    Camp Pendleton Fire Department 22131 Vandegrift Blvd
    Camp Pendleton North, CA 92055    		 (760) 725-4321 Paramedic
    Service Area: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
    Carlsbad Fire Department 2560 Orion Way
    Carlsbad, CA 92010    		 (442) 339-2141 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Carlsbad
    Chula Vista Fire Department 276 Fourth Avenue
    Chula Vista, CA 91910    		 (619) 691-5055 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Chula Vista, Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District, City of Imperial Beach
    Coronado Fire Department 1001 6th Street
    Coronado, CA 92118    		 (619) 522-7374 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Coronado
    Escondido Fire Department 1163 North Centre City Pkwy
    Escondido, CA 92026    		 (760) 839-5400 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Escondido
    Federal Fire Department
    Navy Region Southwest
    Fire Emergency Services    		 937 N. Harbor Drive
    San Diego, CA 92132    		 (619) 767-7278 Paramedic
    Service Area: Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, and other installations
    Lakeside Fire Protection District 12216 Lakeside Avenue
    Lakeside, CA 92040    		 (619) 390-2350 Paramedic
    Service Area: Lakeside, Blossom Valley, Flinn Springs, San Miguel, Bostonia
    Miramar Fire Department 7224 Mitscher Way
    San Diego, CA 92145    		 (858) 577-6137 Paramedic
    Service Area: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
    North County Fire Protection District 330 South Main Avenue
    Fallbrook, CA 92028    		 (760) 723-2005 Paramedic
    Service Area: Bonsall, Pala Mesa, Fallbrook, Rainbow
    Oceanside Fire Department 300 North Coast Highway
    Oceanside, CA 92054    		 (760) 435-4100 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Oceanside
    Poway Fire Department 13325 Civic Center Drive
    Poway, CA 92064    		 (858) 668-4460 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Poway
    San Diego County Fire Protection District 5560 Overland Avenue
    Suite 400
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 974-5999 Paramedic
    Service Area: County Fire Ambulance Service Area
    San Marcos Fire Department 1 Civic Center Drive
    San Marcos, CA 92069    		 (760) 744-1050 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of San Marcos
    Santee Fire Department 10601 Magnolia Avenue
    Santee, CA 92071    		 (619) 258-4100 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Santee, Bostonia
    Sycuan Fire Department 5449 Sycuan Road
    El Cajon, CA 92019    		 (619) 445-2893 Paramedic
    Service Area: Sycuan Reservation
    Viejas Fire Department 19860 Viejas Grade Road
    Alpine, CA 91901    		 (619) 659-2376 Paramedic
    Service Area: Viejas Reservation
    Vista Fire Department 200 Civic Center Drive
    Vista, CA 92084    		 (760) 643-5346 Paramedic
    Service Area: City of Vista
  • Permitted Agencies: 9-1-1 Transport

    The County of San Diego currently permits the following agencies to provide 9-1-1 transportation. Agency contact information is for general, non-emergency purposes only.

    If you think you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

     

    Name Address Phone Number Level of Care
    American Medical Response 8808 Balboa Avenue
    Suite 150
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 492-3500 Paramedic, EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 07/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Service Area: County Service Area 17, City of El Cajon, City of National City, Grossmont Healthcare District - Zone 1 (City of La Mesa, City of Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Casa De Oro, La Presa, Rancho San Diego, Mount Helix), Pala Reservation
    Falck Mobile Health Corp. 4885 Greencraig Lane
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (866) 393-3517 Paramedic, EMT
      Permit Exp: 11/30/2024 Permit Status: Active
    Service Area: City of San Diego
    Mercy Medical Transportation 27350 Valley Center Road
    Valley Center, CA 92082    		 (760) 751-9797 Paramedic, EMT
      Permit Exp: 11/30/2024 Permit Status: Active
    Service Area:  Viejas Reservation
    Mercy Air 625 E. Carnegie Drive
    Suite 150
    San Bernardino, CA 92408    		 (619) 306-1131 Paramedic, CCT
      Permit Exp: 11/30/2024 Permit Status: Active
    Service Area: San Diego County
    REACH Air 8880 Cal Center Drive
    Suite 125
    Sacramento, CA 9526    		 (916) 921-4000 Paramedic, CCT
      Permit Exp: 10/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Service Area: San Diego County
  • Permitted Agencies: Non-Emergency Transport

    The County of San Diego currently permits the following agencies to provide non-emergency transportation. Agency contact information is for general, non-emergency purposes only.

    If you think you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

     

    Name Address Phone Number Level of Care
    Advantage Ambulance, Inc. 1924 Commercial Street
    Escondido, CA 92029    		 (866) 962-3826 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 11/30/2024 Permit Status: Active
    AirCare Ambulance 2105 Camino Vida Roble
    Suite A
    Carlsbad, CA 92011    		 (877) 439-1445 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 04/30/2025 Permit Status: Active
    All Town Ambulance 2336 Auto Park Way
    Escondido, CA 92029    		 (818) 787-8737 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 10/07/2024 Permit Status: Abandoned
    American Medical Response 8808 Balboa Avenue
    Suite 150
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 492-3500 Paramedic, EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 07/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Brougham Ambulance 4901 Morena Boulevard
    Unit 907
    San Diego, CA 92117    		 (866) 338-0929 EMT
      Permit Exp: 05/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Care Medical Transportation, Inc. 9770 Candida Street
    San Diego, CA 92126    		 (858) 653-4500 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 04/30/2025 Permit Status: Active
    CCT Nurses, Inc.   (619) 977-5852 CCT
      Permit Exp: 04/30/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Express Ambulance 6975 North Avenue
    Lemon Grove, CA 91945     		 (619) 589-0022 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 08/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Journey Ambulance 8116 Byron Road
    Whittier, CA 90606    		 (877) 262-4838 EMT
      Permit Exp: 08/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    LIFEwest 4223 Ponderosa Avenue
    Suite A
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (866) 400-2300 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 03/22/2024 Permit Status: Abandoned
    Maxcare Ambulance 7614 Lemon Avenue
    Lemon Grove, CA 91945    		 (619) 303-6705 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 03/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Premier Ambulance 6330 Juniper Creek Lane
    San Diego, CA 92126    		 (888) 353-9556 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 03/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    Responsive Medical Services 3954 Murphy Canyon Road
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (888) 337-5715 EMT
      Permit Exp: 07/31/2025 Permit Status: Active
    San Diego Ambulance Services 7955 Silverton Avenue
    Suite #1210
    San Diego, CA 92126    		 (619) 399-0006 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 12/31/2024 Permit Status: Active
    Symbiosis 5555 Reservoir Drive
    Suite 100
    San Diego, CA 92120    		 (909) 880-0911 EMT, CCT
      Permit Exp: 11/30/2024 Permit Status: Active
  • Hospitals

    EMS professionals deliver patients to the following hospitals throughout the County of San Diego.

     

    Name Address Phone Number Specialty
    Care
    Naval Medical Center San Diego - Balboa 34800 Bob Wilson Drive
    San Diego, CA 92134    		 (619) 532-6400  
    Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital 200 Mercy Circle
    Camp Pendleton, CA 92055    		 (760) 725-1288  
    Kaiser San Diego Medical Center 9455 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 266-5000 Stroke
    Kaiser San Marcos Medical Center 360 Rush Drive
    San Marcos, CA 92078    		 (833) 574-2273  
    Kaiser Zion Medical Center 4647 Zion Avenue
    San Diego, CA 92120    		 (833) 574-2273 Stroke
    Palomar Medical Center 2185 Citracado Parkway
    Escondido, CA 92029    		 (442) 281-5000 STEMI, Stroke, Trauma
    Palomar Medical Center - Poway Campus 15615 Pomerado Road
    Poway, CA 92064    		 (858) 613-4000 Stroke
    Paradise Valley Hospital 2400 E 4th Street
    National City, CA 91950    		 (619) 470-4321 STEMI, Stroke
    Rady Children's Hospital 3020 Children's Way
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 576-1700 Pediatric, Trauma
    Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas 354 Santa Fe Drive
    Encinitas, CA 92024    		 (760) 633-6501 STEMI, Stroke
    Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla 9888 Genesee Avenue
    La Jolla, CA 92037    		 (858) 626-4123 STEMI, Stroke, Trauma
    Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista 435 H Street
    Chula Vista, CA 91910    		 (619) 691-7000 STEMI, Stroke
    Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego 4077 Fifth Avenue
    San Diego, CA 92103    		 (619) 294-8111 STEMI, Stroke, Trauma
    Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center 751 Medical Center
    Chula Vista, CA 91911    		 (619) 502-5800 STEMI, Stroke
    Sharp Coronado Hospital 250 Prospect Place
    Coronado, CA 92118    		 (619) 522-3600 Stroke
    Sharp Grossmont Hospital 5555 Grossmont Center Drive
    La Mesa, CA 91942    		 (619) 740-6000 STEMI, Stroke
    Sharp Memorial Hospital 7901 Frost Street
    San Diego, CA 92123    		 (858) 939-3400 STEMI, Stroke, Trauma
    Temecula Valley Hospital* 31700 Temecula Parkway
    Temecula, CA 92592    		 (951) 331-2200 STEMI, Stroke
    Tri-City Medical Center 4002 Vista Way
    Oceanside, CA 92056    		 (760) 724-8411 STEMI, Stroke
    UCSD Medical Center - East 6655 Alvarado Road
    San Diego, CA 92120    		 (619) 287-3270 STEMI, Stroke
    UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest 200 W Arbor Drive
    San Diego, CA 92103    		 (858) 657-7000 Burn, STEMI, Stroke, Trauma
    UCSD Medical Center - La Jolla 9300 Campus Point Drive
    La Jolla, CA 92037    		 (858) 657-7000 STEMI, Stroke
    VA Medical Center - San Diego 3350 La Jolla Village Drive
    San Diego, CA 92161    		 (858) 552-8585  

    *Temecula Valley Hospital is located in Riverside County