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AMBULANCE INFORMATION
Frequently
Asked Questions FAQ | Level
of Service
Communications | General
Operations
Backup Operations | Personnel Hiring
Policies
Merrille Wildman Scholarship | Billing
Information
SERVICE
AREA - The normal response zone is an 810 square mile area extending
from north Cayucos (Villa Creek) and all the way to the Monterey/San
Luis Obispo County line. The zone extends inland approximately
15 miles, following the Santa Lucia Mountain range. The District
also maintains a contract to provide services into the south coastal
zone of Monterey County, which includes a coastal area extending up
to the community of Pacific Valley. The District also participates
in a county-wide move up and cover system, which means that when other
ambulance response zones are busy, our ambulance crew may be
called to help cover their area. This response area may also
be covered, when our units are busy, by other ambulances. The
response zone can be described as rural with two principle communities,
Cambria and San Simeon. The area is intersected by scenic 
State
Highway 1 (north -south) and State Highway 46 (west - east). The combined
population of Cambria - San Simeon is approximately 5,000. During the
summer months the population increases dramatically with the influx
of tourists to the area. Hearst Castle, one of California's most popular
tourist attractions, is located east of San Simeon.
LEVEL OF SERVICE - All permanent EMS personnel are trained at the EMT-P level or EMT-I level. Certification for EMT'I is administered through the county's Emergency Medical Services Agency, Inc., (EMSA), which also provides continuing education services for all personnel within San Luis Obispo county. All Paramedics receive licensure through the State of California along with local accredidation with the EMSA. The back-up staff of the district are primarily Emergency Medical Technicians with at least four Paramedics. There are four ambulances that are similarly equipped with up-to-date advanced life support equipment and are maintained in a ready to respond state. Our first unit is a 2002 Ford Van Type II, the second unit is a 2000 Ford Van Type II and we have 2 2008 Dodge Sprinter units . The District also operates a 1999 Ford Expedition as a supervisory/command vehicle.
COMMUNICATIONS -
All primary radio dispatches are handled through the San Luis Obispo
County's Sheriff Department command center and is known as Med Com (Medical
Communications). All secondary communications are handled through the
District's VHF repeater/phone patch computer located south of Cambria.
In addition to the above, both units are able to communicate with County
Fire Dispatch center as well as local fire units. In the north coast
area, this District works with four fire agencies: Cambria Fire Department,
California Dept. of Forestry/SLO County Fire, and U.S. Forest Service, and
three law enforcement agencies: Sheriff's Office, California Highway
Patrol, and State Park Rangers. On occasion this agency will work in
conjunction with CHP Air Operations (H-70 Helicopter), Cal-Star Helicopter,
and U.S. Coast Guard helicopter for patient transport and search & rescue
operations.
GENERAL OPERATIONS - This agency responds to a vast variety of calls, including such events as: medical and trauma transports, traffic accidents, long distance transports, public assists, stand-by coverage and public relation events (e.g. first aid & CPR classes, classroom demonstrations etc.). Some of the trauma calls and traffic accidents will involve extensive rescue and/or extrication operations. During the slower winter months the average number of incidents might be around 30 to 40 per month whereas during the busier summer months the average may exceed 110 incidents. Ongoing training is emphasized for all personnel, including seminar attendance, continuing education classes and specialized exposure, e.g. cliff rescue, vehicle extrication etc. In-service training is provided both during on shift time as well as during monthly crew meetings. District personnel will also attend disaster drills in order to become prepared for mass casualty incidents and triage. top of page
A
principle emphasis regarding the operations of the emergency services
involves the long transport times to the nearest hospitals, which at
a minimum can take up to 25 minutes. Transports originating in Monterey
County on Highway 1 can take as long as an hour and a half before arriving
at a base station facility. Special training and equipment are utilized
in regards to these long transports.
BACK-UP OPERATIONS - Current back-up personnel are issued a Motorola Minitor II pager for monitoring primary unit status and potential back-up dispatching. The on-duty crew maintains awareness of those personnel currently available for call. Should a second call or additional request for an ambulance come in, Med Com or the primary unit will notify the back-up crew to respond to the station for pending traffic. Back-up personnel are paid an hourly rate depending upon length of service and certification level when responding or standing by on a call. Additionally, part time personnel are utilized to augment the full time staff during vacation time, sick leave, training replacement and open weekend shifts. A shift for this agency is considered 24 hours. If you are local, resident EMT or Paramedic and would be interested in joining our back-up operations, please download an application and submit it to the office.
PERSONNEL/SCHEDULE - A normal tour of duty for full-time EMS personnel is two, 24 hour days followed by four days off. Backup personnel are paid for a full 24 hour period when working relief shifts. Each full-time safety employee receives the following:
• 100% paid medical/dental insurance for employee / 80% dependents.
• 3% at 50, California Public Employee Retirement System.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Compensatory Time Off accumulation (overtime).
• Graduated step increase pay scale.
• Annual cost of living pay increase.
HIRING
POLICIES - Open vacancies are
filled through the establishment of a one year hiring list. This list
is formulated prior to the vacancy by means of an application acceptance
period followed by a written test, practical skills demonstration and
an oral interview. Applicants are then assigned a numerical ranking
with the top position receiving authorization to obtain District a
paid physical/medical examination. The finalized number one applicant
is then offered the position. Subsequent vacancies within the year
are offered to the next applicant in established order. All new employees
are subject to an initial one year probationary period.
Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics interested in the back-up system and shift relief are processed through an agency training program and are then issued either a pager or radio (paramedics).
MERRILLE WILDMAN SCHOLARSHIP - This is a tuition support program named in honor of the late Board of Trustee, Merrille Wildman. This program provides up to $3000 in tuition support for back-up personnel attending paramedic training.
BILLING INFORMATION / INQUIRES - All ambulance related billing is handled by Wittman Enterprises of Sacramento, California. If you have any questions regarding your account, please call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-6552.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Contact can be made during normal business hours with the Administrator regarding any employment availability with the Ambulance Service. Letters of interest are accepted and maintained on file for a one year period pending notification of any openings.
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