EMS System Overview
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
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: Submitted - Under Review 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
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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 Services937 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: 10/31/2024 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: 07/31/2025 Permit Status: Active 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
CareNaval 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