- Become an EMT
- Credentialing Information
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- MICN Initial Authorization
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- Fee Schedule
- Certification FAQs
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- System Overview
- Draft Policy Public Comment
- Trauma System
- Stroke Receiving Centers
- STEMI Receiving Centers
- Community Paramedicine
- County Fire Ambulance Services
- Duty Officer Program
- ECPR Pilot Program
- Medication Shortages
- Mandatory Reporting
- Transfer of Care
- Ambulance Ordinance
- Permitted Agencies
- Spare Tire Exemption
EMS Mobile App
- Community Engagement
- Additional Information
All-Hazard Health Services Capacity Management Plan - Level 5 (Baseline Surveillance)
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- All-Hazard Health Services Capacity Management Plan - System Stress Tools
Below are system stress tools that are used based on the All-Hazard Health Services Capacity Management Plan Level.
- Active System Stress Tools
- 4:1 Patient to EMS Professional Ratio at EDs
- Ambulance Strike Team
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- Agencies and hospitals may request ASTs, or other resources, through the MHOAC at their expense
- EMS Transfer to ED Waiting Area Option
- Deactivated System Stress Tools
- 9-1-1 Response Mode Alteration
- Abbreviated Radio Report Option
- Assess and Refer Option
- DoD Beneficiary Destination Directive
- EMS Treatment Considerations
- Non-Patient Passenger Restrictions
- EMT Transport Option Following On Scene Paramedic Treatment
- Patient Masking Recommendation
- Health Services Capacity Task Force Plan Level Staffing Augmentation
- County-contracted Ambulance Operational Areas within HSCTF Plan Level staffing augmentation should contact their County Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
- Active System Stress Tools
Latest News
Base Station Hospital System & Trauma Center Catchment Area Designations: Final Report Posted
May 30, 2024, 12:00 PM PST
The County of San Diego EMS Office (CoSD EMS) is pleased to announce that Public Consulting Group (PCG) has concluded their Comprehensive Evaluation of the Base Station Hospital System and Trauma Center Catchment Area Designations.
The Comprehensive Evaluation of the Base Station Hospital System Report and the Trauma Center Catchment Area Designations Report have been posted on the County of San Diego's Engage webpage.
Following the report publication, public comments about the report will be accepted through June 30, 2024.
Prior to presenting the reports to the Board of Supervisors, CoSD EMS and PCG have scheduled two virtual Zoom meetings on
June 5andJune 6to allow stakeholders to:
- Learn about the study process
- Review the report's findings
- Hear about next steps
- Ask the consultant group questions
We invite all EMS system stakeholders, healthcare community members, and the public to participate.
Dates, times, and links for the virtual sessions can be found on the County EMS Engage webpage.
San Diego County EMS Fee Updates
May 30, 2024, 12:00 PM PST
Changes effective July 1, 2024.
| Fee Category | Amount |
| EMT/Advanced EMT Initial, Transfer, or Reinstatement Certification | $258 ($75 state fee plus $183 county fee) |
| EMT/Advanced EMT Renewal Certification | $220 ($37 state fee plus $183 county fee) |
| Paramedic Accreditation* | $183 county fee |
| Mobile Intensive Care Nurse Authorization* | $183 county fee |
| EMT or Advanced EMT Replacement Card | No fee (conditions apply) |
| EMT Out of County Status | No fee (conditions apply) |
| Other Healthcare Professional (Paramedic Intern, RN, etc.) | No fee (conditions apply) |
| Ambulance / CCT Provider Permit Application | $6,400 (annual) |
| Permitted Vehicle Inspection | $373 (per inspection) |
| Air Ambulance Permit | $5,239 (annual) |
| CE Provider Approval | $2,350 |
| Base Hospital Designation | $39,800 |
| Trauma Center Designation | $57,000 |
*Paramedic accreditation and MICN authorization renewals have no fee as long as the credential is current/has not expired.
2024-2025 Protocol and Policy Updates
May 1, 2024, 11:00 AM PST
The San Diego County EMS 2024-2025 protocols and policies are posted on the Prehospital Policies and Protocols page. All protocol and policy updates take effect July 1, 2024.
Please see the Protocol Packet, Protocol Presentation, and Protocol Changelog for more information about the updates.
New Online Reporting Platform for APS Referrals
December 22, 2023, 9:21 AM PST
Aging & Independence Services (AIS) has transitioned to a new online reporting platform for APS referrals.To report suspected elder or dependent adult abuse or self-neglect, use the new link below:
You do not need a username and password to use the new online system. In addition, a SOC 341 form is no longer required if you use the online referral option above. Referrals can still be made by calling the AIS Call Center at 800-339-4661. The Mandatory Reportingpage has been updated and the San Diego County EMS Office is in the process of revising policy S-411 Reporting of Suspected Child, Dependent Adult, or Elder Abuse/Neglect to reflect these changes.
"Emergency Department Impact Status Scorecard" Pilot Program
November 29, 2023, 1:15 PM PST
In collaboration with hospital leaders and the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, the San Diego County EMS Office deployed an "Emergency Department (ED) Impact Status Scorecard." The ED Impact Status Scorecardis a novel system stress indicator allowing hospitals to communicate real-time facility capacity. This system facilitates the ongoing partnership between hospitals, EMS professionals, and County EMS. The successful pilot program, initiated May 2023, has been expanded for use across the entire San Diego County hospital system.
View the details here:ED Impact Status Scorecard Pilot Program Expansion
EMS Mobile App is Now Available
The San Diego County EMS Office is pleased to announce our new EMS Mobile App!
The app is now available to the community:EMS Mobile App
The EMS Mobile App is a browser-based application and works on any device with an internet connection and web browser. The app allows users to easily search through all protocols and policies using keywords. In addition, users can bookmark specific protocols and policies to quickly access them at any time.
The EMS Mobile App also has a references section with important resources for our hospital and prehospital healthcare professionals.
Patient-Centered Care Modification from Paramedic to EMT Transport from Scene to Hospital
Following removal of the tool that permitted EMTs to transport eligible patients after on-scene paramedic treatment during periods of high system stress, the San Diego County EMS Office received requests from EMS prehospital and hospital professionals for clarification of the currently authorized use of EMS Policy S-412.
The EMS Medical Director has issued the Patient-Centered Care Modification from Paramedic to EMT Transport from Scene to Hospital memo to provide guidance and clarification on this policy.
EMS Cardiac Monitor Data Retention Community Consensus Guidance
A community workgroup was formed as part of the San Diego County EMS Office quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) program. The workgroup has developed a consensus guidance document to provide communitywide standards in EMS cardiac monitor data management.
This guidance is intended to enhance the QA/QI process by ensuring standardization in EMS cardiac monitor data integration and retention. The EMS Medical Director has released anEMS Cardiac Monitor Data Rentention Community Consensus Guidance memowith more information.
Treatment on the EMS Gurney Community Consensus Guidance
A community workgroup has developed a consensus guidance document to provide focused, patient-centered guidance for hospital treatments that may be performed prior to patient Transfer of Care.
This guidance is intended to bring clarity to interventions that are reasonable to perform during this time interval to facilitate a smoother patient handover process. The EMS Medical Director has released a Treatment on the EMS Gurney Community Consensus Guidance memowith more information.
Recommendation for COVID and Flu Vaccinations
With concern for the surge in COVID cases this fall, it is important for all of us to be up to date on our vaccinations. The harsh influenza season in the Southern Hemisphere suggests we may experience a severe flu season concurrent with this potential surge in COVID cases.
The EMS Medical Director strongly recommends COVID and flu vaccinations and has released a strong recommendation for COVID and flu vaccinations memowith more information.
Xylazine Alert for EMS
Please see the Xylazine Alert for EMS Professionals from the EMS Medical Director.
Additional information may be found at this National Institute of Drug Abusepage and this Drug Enforcement Administration info sheet.
Behavioral Health Program for First Responders
The Fire Captain Ryan Mitchell behavioral health support program is a free, confidential 24/7 peer-supported referral hotline.
This program aims to increase awareness about local mental health resources and decrease the stigma and barriers associated with First Responders seeking behavioral health support services.
