FY2018 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2018 | Page 18

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).
6,509
6,676
34,829
35,128
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