Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Burbank Fire Department (BFD) is a proud and dedicated emergency medical services (EMS) provider. EMS incidents account for about 80% of BFD's call volume. With the introduction of paramedic services in 1974, the BFD has continued to provide state-of-the-art care to the community. The BFD's EMS Program is recognized as one of the best in California and among the leaders in the United States.

There are three rescue ambulances assigned to Station 11, 13 and 15 effectively dividing the city into thirds to provide quick response times to emergencies. In addition, all BFD engine and truck companies are Advanced Life Support (ALS) capable. They carry essential paramedic equipment and are capable of providing ALS services when a Paramedic is assigned to that apparatus. Engine 12 and Engine 16 are staffed daily with a Paramedic.

The EMS Program is progressive and innovative in its concepts and equipment. One way to ensure the fastest and most effective treatment for the community is through the use of treatment protocols. These afford us the ability to provide life-saving medical intervention without the delay of waiting for hospital orders. BFD also utilizes a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) for patients with particular heart related complaints. The 12-lead allows us to “see” the heart more thoroughly, leading to rapid recognition and intervention of any serious cardiac event. BFD is on the cutting edge of transmitting 12-lead findings to the hospital, which allows them advanced notice to provide faster, more effective definitive care.

BFD employs a Medical Director and EMS Nurse Specialist to facilitate system quality improvement and continuing education for Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians.

Dr. Tabitha Cheng is the BFD's Medical Director. She has a wealth of Emergency Medicine experience. Her training has taken her from San Diego to Massachusetts. She is currently an Emergency Medicine Physician at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Cheng is an instructor and has held positions on many local, state and national committees.  

EMS FAQ's

For fees, please refer to the Citywide Fee Schedule, Article V - Public Safety, Section 1.

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