Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Services Department initiated Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in July of 1974. As of January 1994 medical transportation to area hospitals was added to our service delivery profile. The Department has received numerous awards over the years recognizing the quality of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System. Paramedics from the Department have been recognized by the Florida Emergency Medical Foundation, and the International Rescue and Emergency Care Association for their technical achievements at international ALS and BLS competitions.

Our EMS public information program was selected in 1996 by the State of Florida as the "EMS Public Information Program of the Year". The International Association of Fire Chiefs presented the Department and Boca Raton Community Hospital an "Award for Excellence" recognizing our community health partnership initiatives.

Every ALS transport unit is staffed with 2 Paramedics at all times (3 personnel are assigned to high priority ALS transports and trauma patients). A minimum of one paramedic is assigned to each ALS engine company. State-of-the-art Advanced Life Support equipment is carried on each unit. This equipment includes a Lifepak 12 cardiac monitor/defibrillator.

This resource continuously monitors a patient's blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation in the blood. It can also automatically pace the heart and provide twelve lead electrocardiogram (EKG) capabilities to help identify a heart attack in progress. Advanced airway management equipment, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and the most advanced medications and treatments are made available to the citizens of Boca Raton.

Our EMS system is composed of the following:

Paramedics are also involved in our Community Health Partnership with Boca Raton Community Hospital. This innovative program is designed to prevent medical emergencies through screenings, education, dietary suggestions and exercise programs.