FY2017 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2017 | Page 21

The Arlington Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System is
designed to provide the highest level of patient care from
the moment 9-1-1 is notified until arrival at a local hospital.
Arlington’s EMS system is an integration of the resources of
the Fire Department and our private ambulance contractor,
American Medical Response (AMR). AFD’s First Responder
Program dispatches fire apparatus as well as an ambulance
on most medical emergencies.
AMR is the exclusive ambulance service provider in
Arlington and is a CAAS (Commission on Accreditation of
Ambulance Services) accredited ambulance service. The
ambulance contract is a fee-based system, with no taxpayer
subsidy paid to AMR. AFD and AMR ambulance personnel receive authorization to provide
emergency medical care from the Arlington EMS System Medical Director. The Medical
Director is a physician who establishes standards and oversees all aspects of medical
assessment and care provided by ambulance and fire personnel, 9-1-1 call takers, and
dispatch personnel, and is a member of the Emergency Physicians’ Advisory Board (EPAB).
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