Santa Rosa Considers Own EMS System

istock_1621_ambulance
istock_1621_ambulance

ChristopherBernard/iStock

Santa Rosa councilmembers are considering ending the city’s contract with a private ambulance company and giving the city its own EMS system. Santa Rosa, along with Sebastopol and Rohnert Park, have been serviced by American Medical Response for more than three decades. Sonoma County and the company have had a contract in place since 1991. The county is now looking for bids for a new five-year deal, but Santa Rosa leaders want to either create their own ambulance service or start a public-private partnership. Yesterday, Santa Rosa Fire Chief Scott Westrope said making the switch would likely cost too much and take too much time. That’s in large part because of a 1980 California law that gives county governments most control over their EMS services.