PALO ALTO, Calif. — Since launching its ambulance service in 1974, Palo Alto firefighters have served dual roles as paramedics. Medical calls now dominate, making up 62% of the city’s 9,416 emergency calls in fiscal year 2024, up from 7,209 in 2021 to 9,212 in 2023.
Fire Station 4 in Mitchell Park currently operates an ambulance without a fire engine, raising concerns among neighborhood residents. In response, city officials plan to restore a fire engine to the station, though the staffing model is still being finalized, Palo Alto Online reported.
The city’s finance committee endorsed the hiring of civilian EMTs to operate an expanded ambulance service, shifting away from the traditional model of firefighter-paramedics. Two committee members supported creating a dedicated single-role division with two full-time ambulances, along with a fleet manager and administrative staff to support future growth, according to a department report.
The committee also reaffirmed the city council’s position that Fire Station 4 should include a fully staffed fire engine. Under the supported plan, firefighters assigned to ambulances would be reassigned to Engine 64 once the new civilian EMT division is in place.
The plan backed by the committee members would add a 12-hour ambulance shift, expanding the fleet to 3.5 units at an annual cost of $3 million. Initially staffed by firefighters, the new unit would transition to civilian EMTs as the city works to hire 25 single-role responders over the next 12 to 18 months.
Officials noted the cost savings: civilian EMTs earn about 33% less than firefighter EMTs and require far less training — three weeks compared to 20 weeks — making hiring faster and more affordable.
