Emergency Medical Services

Provides 24 hour emergency paramedic ambulance response; treatment and transportation of ill and injured in Pasadena; planning and staffing of medical coverage for special events; and related activities. Emergency medical response is performed together with Fire Operations.

About

Rescue Ambulances or RA’s are dispatched through the 9-1-1 system and are staffed by Firefighter / Paramedics who are licensed by the State of California and accredited by the Los Angeles County EMS (Emergency Medical Service) Authority. In the City of Pasadena, a 911 call for medical assistance receives a paramedic ambulance and a fire engine or truck, whichever is closest. This level of response provides a minimum of two paramedics and four firefighters to every call for service, which exceeds the minimum national standards for medical incidents. In addition to the four paramedic rescue ambulances, Pasadena Fire also provides four reserve ambulances available for immediate use, and has at least one paramedic assigned to every engine and truck company, commonly referred to as ”Assessment” units. Currently Pasadena Fire has eight Assessment engines and two Assessment truck companies strategically located throughout the city. This provides a third paramedic at the scene to assist with advanced life support. Assessment personnel can initiate advanced life support procedures prior to rescue ambulance arrival.

The County of Los Angeles regulates the ambulance industry and sets the mandated rates, which include a base rate, mileage and disposable medical supplies. For more information, call (626) 744-4655.

Pasadena Paramedic Subscription Service

The Pasadena Paramedic Subscription Program provides unlimited use of Pasadena Fire’s emergency medical system for you and the other members of your household for a small annual fee.

As of July 1, 2023, the fee will be $89 per year.  This voluntary program provides coverage for fees associated with any Paramedic services or emergency transportation provided.

Emergency Medical Reserves Program

The Pasadena Fire Department is looking for volunteers that are currently certified as EMT-1A to apply to our Emergency Medical Reserves program. This program augments EMS service in that the “EMSR” rides as the third person to assist paramedics in the field, and at special events such as the Rose Bowl games and Rose Parade. If you are interested in the valuable program please email info@emsr.org

Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT)

PORT’s goal is to identify individuals impacted by chronic homelessness and, through supportive services and case management, assist them in moving off the streets into permanent housing.

PORT is a street-based approach that engages, assesses, serves and provides links to housing opportunities for those experiencing chronic homelessness, severe mental illness, substance use disorders, physical disabilities and complex chronic health conditions. The PORT team is comprised of a case manager (social worker), public health nurse, firefighter, and an outreach worker from Union Station Homeless Services. Since its inception in late 2018, PORT has enrolled 107 individuals, ranging from ages 20-79.

Tony Zee
Tony Zee
Rod Hutchinson
Chris Figueroa

HIPAA Privacy Officer Designation

The following individual is responsible for all aspects of the Pasadena Fire Department’s (PFD) HIPAA Compliance and should be contacted whenever an issue arises involving the privacy or security of Protected Health Information (PHI) created, received, transmitted and maintained by PFD.  This person is the primary point of contact regarding all HIPAA- related inquiries or complaints, and all parties requesting PHI or with questions regarding the use of disclosure of PHI of PFD should be referred to this individual.  All known and suspected breaches of unsecured PHI shall be reported to this individual, as well as any known or suspected violations of PFD’s HIPAA policies and procedures:

EMS Battalion Chief Jason Hansen
215 N. Marengo Avenue, Suite 195
Pasadena, CA 91101
626-744-7189
jhansen@cityofpasadena.net