South Metro Fire Rescue - Emergency Medical Services

EMS is a critical function of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA). SMFRA fire service personnel are frequently the first responders to medical emergencies.

SMFRA provides emergency response with cross-trained firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The firefighter (FF)/EMTs medical certification level varies from EMT-Basic (EMT-B), or EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P). It is SMFRA’s goal to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) response to the District. To respond to emergency incidents SMFRA has ten engines, two squrt companies, three tower companies and one truck company. These engine/squrt/tower/truck units are manned with a minimum of three FF/EMT-Bs with designated stations having a minimum of two FF/EMT-Bs and one EMT-Paramedic/FF. It should be noted that the tower and truck companies have a minimum of four FF/EMT-Bs. A typical initial response for emergency medical calls is, at a minimum, a Basic Life Support (BLS) fire engine/squrt/tower/truck with an ALS transport Medic unit responding also. All frontline engines/squrt/tower/truck units also have cardiac defibrillation capabilities through the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In identified and designated response districts, this typical response has an upgraded response of an ALS engine/squrt/tower/truck with an ALS transport Medic Unit. Additionally, the ALS transport unit is staffed at a minimum with a FF/EMTB and a Paramedic/FF or in identified and designated response districts, two Paramedic/FFs. If needed, neighboring fire districts and/or private ambulance companies provide backup ALS patient transport via established automatic and mutual aid agreements.

Our commitment to is that you receive great care from our EMT's and Paramedics, however, property taxes alone do not cover the cost of the SMFRA ambulance transport service. SMFRA bills for reimbursement of ambulance service provided only if we transport you or a family member to a hospital. This pdf file is a list of some of the most common ambulance charges. Our billing for ambulance patient transport charges is provided by an outside third party vendor. If you have a question about ambulance transport billings you can contact our current billing service, WIBS, at 303.525.9287.