THIRD RAMONA AMBULANCE AND CREW ARE BUSY HELPING RESIDENTS

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Medic 282 Paramedic Ambulance and Crew

April 21, 2023 (La Mesa) -- A new ambulance with its crew and services added by the San Diego County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE is seeing a great deal of use. County Fire accepted the transfer of responsibility for fire protection and emergency medical services in Ramona last August. The change brought a third fire department paramedic ambulance and additional firefighter staffing enhancements to the Ramona service area. 

The new paramedic ambulance has been dispatched 315 times and has taken 148 patients to area hospitals. Assigned to Fire Station 82, on Dye Road, the paramedic ambulance has full-time staffing with two firefighter paramedics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Due to residential and business development along with population growth, there have been steady increases in 911 emergencies.  

“When County Fire took over fire protection and emergency medical service in Ramona, a promise was made to the community,” said County Fire Director Jeff Collins.  “The enhanced the level of service and the addition of the third ambulance is part of delivering on that promise.” 

Added firefighter/paramedics skilled in emergency medical services provide advanced-level care in the area. This has reduced response times through efficient patient management and transport. It has already proved beneficial to the County Fire system, reducing the need for an outside ambulance provider to respond to the Ramona area.  

“I heard from many community leaders that a third ambulance and the staffing to operate it was a top priority for Ramona and I am glad we were able to make this a reality,” said District 2 County Supervisor Joel Anderson. “This new ambulance will save many lives and I am grateful to County Fire for working with me to secure this new vehicle.” 

County Fire also added six cardiac monitors to fire engines and ambulances serving the Ramona community.  Older fire engines at Ramona Stations 81 and 82 will soon be replaced.