Proudly Since 1873
First Responder Advanced Life Support Update
City of Merced Fire Department
Casey Wilson, Fire Chief
What is First Responder Advanced Life Support (FRALS)?
Paramedics on Fire Engines, Squads and Ladder Trucks
Generally, do not transport
Historically MFD was trained to the Basic Life Support (BLS) level Proudly Since 1873
EMT vs. Paramedic – What is the difference?
Paramedic
Advanced Life Support
1200 - 1800 hours of training. (Approx. 2-year process) Advanced Airway Management
Cardiac monitoring
Medication administration
Pain management
Proudly Since 1873
EMT
Basic Life Support
170 hours of training
Min. training for MFD firefighters
Basic airway management
Basic patient stabilization
Previous Council Action – Nov. 2024
First Responder Advanced Life Support Agreement with Merced County EMS Additional equipment to support ALS
Engine 53 became ALS effective Jan. 2025
Squad 53 implemented Mar. 2025
Approved Battalion Chief position for ALS program management Proudly Since 1873
MFD Firefighter Paramedic Status
Licensed Firefighter Paramedics – 11
Paramedics in Training – 7
Didactic – 6 Firefighters
Internship – 1 Firefighter
Beginning Training January – 5
5 additional Firefighters completed their entrance exam Proudly Since 1873
Incident Data
Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2025
E53 Total EMS Responses:
E53 - 992
ALS Responses:
E53 - 261
Proudly Since 1873
Mar 3 - Aug 31, 2025
S53 Total EMS Responses:
S53 - 735
ALS Responses:
S53 - 205
*ALS When Available Status
ALS Care Provided
Proudly Since 1873
ALS Interventions
Medication Administrations
(27 Total including BLS)
Progressing ALS
E51 Upgraded to "ALS when Available" effective Sep. 17th, 2025 Will become full-time ALS November 2025
Capacity to add 4th ALS unit expected Q1 2026
Data supports need on Engine 55
MFD will be providing ALS service to and estimated 73% of EMS calls city wide Proudly Since 1873
Progressing ALS
MFD is looking to deploy Paramedics to the community with more efficiency.
Analysis indicates that implementing the Squad deployment strategy at Stations 51 and 53 will result in coverage for 59% of total EMS call volume across the city.
MFD is in discussion with the new Merced County exclusive ambulance provider to integrate our paramedics into the EMS system, enhancing service delivery with the possibility of recovering costs.
Proudly Since 1873
Proudly Since 1873
Questions?
City of Merced Fire Department