San Rafael Fire Department Enhances Emergency Medical Response with New EMT Pilot Program
San Rafael, CA – The San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) has launched a new Basic Life Support (BLS) EMT Pilot Program, expanding the City’s emergency medical response capabilities and ensuring the right level of care reaches every patient.
Until now, all San Rafael ambulances and fire engines have been staffed exclusively with paramedics, who provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) — the highest level of pre-hospital care. While this model ensures that critical emergencies receive advanced treatment, it means that paramedic units are dispatched for every 9-1-1 call, including lower-acuity medical incidents.
The new BLS program introduces a dedicated ambulance staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to respond to non-critical medical calls. This approach allows paramedic-staffed ALS units to remain available for life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrests, strokes, and major trauma. The program is designed to improve system efficiency, shorten response times, and enhance patient outcomes across the city.
“The launch of our new Basic Life Support ambulance demonstrates the San Rafael Fire Department’s ongoing commitment to innovation and modernizing our service delivery model,” said Fire Chief Abraham Roman. “By introducing this resource, we are expanding our ability to provide the right level of care at the right time, enhancing system efficiency while meeting the community’s evolving public safety needs. This forward-thinking approach strengthens service reliability, improves patient outcomes, and ensures a resilient emergency response system for all who live, work, and visit San Rafael.”
The pilot program also supports workforce development by providing hands-on experience for aspiring firefighter/paramedics in a professional fire department environment. Additionally, it helps the department manage higher call volumes during peak periods and ensures resources remain available for fires and large-scale emergencies.
SRFD will monitor the pilot program closely, evaluating response times, unit availability, and patient outcomes to determine the long-term impact and potential expansion of BLS services.
With the formal launch of this program, please join us in welcoming Kayla Franklin, Berlynn Vargas, Thomas Marinoff, DeWitt Miller, Miguel Samayoa, and Benjamin Putman to the SRFD team. Their skills, dedication, and commitment to service will play a vital role in strengthening our emergency medical response and enhancing the care we provide to the San Rafael community. We are excited to have them on board as we take this important step forward in improving the efficiency of patient treatment across our city.
About San Rafael Fire Department
The San Rafael Fire Department is committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through innovative, responsive, and professional emergency services.