About the EMS System
Alameda is the seventh most populous county in California, and has 14 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. The total population is estimated to be 1,647,704. Oakland is the seat of County government and the County’s largest city. Alameda County is characterized by rich diversity and culture. Population growth has occurred with the natural net increase of births over deaths, but also from substantial immigration, and Alameda County is now one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the Bay Area and the nation.
During 2016, Alameda County received nearly 160,000 911 requests for medical aid, with over 115,000 transports being completed. The system has numerous components including communication centers, first responders, basic and advanced transports services, and multiple receiving and specialty care centers. To learn more about the various partners that support our EMS System, view each of the tabs below.
To learn more about the history and establishment of EMS in Alameda County, visit Alameda County EMS System History and Development below.
The California EMS Authority requires that the EMS Agency submit a System Plan. That plan contains comprehensive information on the structure and performance of the EMS system and we invite you to review it.
EMS System Components
Alameda County’s EMS system is comprised of several components. Details about each is below:
Injury Prevention Programs
The Alameda County EMS Agency operates and supports several programs designed to enhance the health and well being of vulnerable populations including children and seniors. Head over to our Injury Prevention Program page to learn more.
Communication Centers
Access to the EMS System begins with 911 and the emergency communication centers serving Alameda County. In Alameda County there are eighteen Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)- these centers perform initial intake of 911 calls and direct callers to the needed resource.Two of the eighteen of the PSAPs in Alameda County are Accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Centers that utilize the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) to triage calls and assist callers in rendering immediate lifesaving care to those in need. To learn more about MPDS and how it helps patients, visit International Academies of Emergency Dispatch's Website.
To learn more about the two Accredited Centers of Excellence (ACE) for Emergency Medical Dispatch in Alameda County, follow the links below:
First Responders
The Agencies listed below which are located throughout Alameda County, help provide initial emergency medical care to residents and visitors of the County.
9-1-1 Transport Agencies
These agencies facilitate transport to a hospital or other facility.
| City of Alameda Fire Department | |
| City of Albany Fire Department | |
| City of Berkeley Fire Department | |
| City of Piedmont Fire Department | |
| Falck Northern California |
| Table of User Fees (Effective July 1, 2023) |
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| Provider Name | Bundled Base Rate | Mileage | Oxygen | Treat/No Transport | |
| City of Albany | $3,664.87 | $82.69 | $273.79 | $735.01 | |
| City of Alameda | $3,664.87 | $82.69 | $273.79 | $735.01 | |
| City of Berkeley | $3,664.87 | $82.69 | $273.79 | $735.01 | |
| City of Piedmont | $3,664.87 | $82.69 | $273.79 | $735.01 | |
| Falck Northern California | $3,664.87 | $82.69 | $273.79 | $735.01 | |
Emergency Air Medical Transport Agencies:
| CALSTAR / REACH | |
| California Highway Patrol- Air Operations Division | |
| East Bay Regional Parks Police Department | |
| Stanford Lifeflight |
Non-Emergency Ambulance Providers
The organizations listed below are ambulance providers approved by the Alameda County EMS Agency to provide service requested outside of the 911 system. These services include requests such as transfers between medical facilities, and to and from medical appointments:
Do you have an ambulance service provider seeking approval to operate in Alameda County? Please review the documents below:
For more information on Non-Emergency Transport, please contact our Ambulance Ordinance Officer.
Receiving Facilities (Hospitals)
Alameda County is home to numerous acute care receiving facilities that provide a wide range of services to care for the health needs of residents and visitors of Alameda County. The Alameda County EMS Agency works closely with these facilities to assure the continuum of medical care and assists them with integration of specialized care programs including trauma, stroke, and cardiac services into the EMS System.
Alameda Hospital | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center- Ashby Campus | Basic Emergency Services, Labor and Delivery
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center- Summit Campus | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center, STEMI Center
Eden Medical Center | Basic Emergency Services, Level II Adult Trauma Center, Primary Stroke Center, Labor and Delivery
Highland Hospital | Basic Emergency Services, Level I Adult Trauma Center, STEMI Center, Labor and Delivery
Kaiser Oakland | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center, STEMI Center, Labor and Delivery
Kaiser Fremont | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center, STEMI Center
Kaiser San Leandro | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center, Labor and Delivery
St. Rose Hospital | Basic Emergency Services, STEMI Center, Labor and Delivery
San Leandro Hospital | Basic Emergency Services
Stanford ValleyCare Hospital | Basic Emergency Services, STEMI Center, Primary Stroke Center, Labor and Delivery
John George Psychiatric Hospital | Psychiatric Emergency Services for Adults
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital- Oakland | Basic Emergency Services, Level I Trauma Center, and Psychiatric Emergency Services for Children
Washington Hospital | Basic Emergency Services, Primary Stroke Center, STEMI Center, Labor and Delivery
Willow Rock Center | Psychiatric Emergency Services for Adolescents and Teens
EMS System Statistics can be viewed by following the link below to our System Statistics page:
