Have you ever called 911 in a medical emergency and wondered why the San Francisco Fire Department arrived?

On Saturday, SFFD command staff, fire commissioners and crews celebrated the twentieth anniversary of providing advanced life support and paramedic care in San Francisco. On July 1, 1997, the Department of Public Health's Paramedic Division merged with the San Francisco Fire Department.

Command staff, Fire Commisisioners and crews all celebrating 20 years of Paramedic Services from #yoursffd today pic.twitter.com/YWuEY0BLk8 — San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) July 1, 2017

20 years ago today, #yoursffd started to provide Paramedic services to San Francisco: https://t.co/cdZWYmbvu7 pic.twitter.com/7Y6O0cdaNd — San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) July 1, 2017

"[P]aramedics will be stationed at firehouses to ride to the rescue with firefighters," the Chronicle reported on March 4, 1997. "More firefighters will be trained up to paramedic status."



SFFD isn't the only permitted ambulance provider in the city. Two private organizations also respond to 911 calls: American Medical Response and King American Ambulance Company. They arrive on scene after calls for emergency and non-emergency medical services are made throughout the city.

After receiving emergency calls, Department of Emergency Management (DEM) dispatchers coordinate with the closest available first responder and ambulance. Dispatchers then determine which hospital a patient is destined for, depending on the patient's needs.

Patients who have been transported in an ambulance may also receive a bill from the SFFD.

Count of transports to hospitals from June 2016 to May 2017. | Image: San Francisco Emergency Medical Response

According to its website, SFFD responds to more than 73,000 emergency medical service calls per year—an average that tops 200 calls each day. As of 2010, fire officials provided about 80% of the ambulance response in the City and County of San Francisco.



San Francisco also allows access to a full dataset of all 911 fire unit responses to calls, including medical incidents. Records include the address (block), call type, date and time. If the unit is listed as private, then a private ambulance company responded to the call.

The SFFD's Division of Emergency Medical Services also administers other health initiatives, including an asthma outreach program and participates in clinical research studies.

Did you know your ambulances are required to POST at several locations throughout the city so we can serve you the best.? Next time you see — San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) January 28, 2017

one go say hello. These posting locations allow us to deploy medics evenly throughout the city. They revolve hourly, if not sooner. https://t.co/1wfSQa4b68 — San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) January 28, 2017

Back in 1997, ambulances were first placed at fire stations, with paramedics working 24-hour shifts. Soon after, between 1999 and 2004, the implementation of paramedic-staffed engine companies began.

As part of a reconfiguration completed in July 2009, ambulances are now posted at strategic locations throughout the city so paramedics can be evenly deployed.

