I. The North Coast EMS Region      Return to EMS System

The North Coast Emergency Medical Services Agency was created in 1975 to develop a regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System on behalf of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake and Mendocino counties. North Coast EMS has coordinated the emergency medical services system on California’s north coast since 1975. Member counties include Del Norte, Humboldt, and Lake. Mendocino County withdrew from the region in 1986 and local EMS agency responsibility was assumed for the southern half of Trinity County in 1987. The agency is governed by a Joint Powers Governing Board consisting of one supervisor and one alternate from each of the three member counties.

With adoption of the Emergency Medical Services Act in 1982, several local EMS agency responsibilities were delegated to North Coast EMS, including: training program approval, personnel certification, base hospital and provider designation, quality improvement/assurance, system coordination and evaluation, etc. Recent program highlights include: Emergency Medical Dispatch, first responder, and early defibrillation and paramedic training; call box installation; rural trauma program development; computerized data collection and analysis; critical incident stress management, as well as other system improvements. Larry Karsteadt, Executive Director, is responsible for overall administration and fiscal management, and Ken Stiver, M.D., serves as Regional Medical Director.

At this time, 680 EMT-Is, 14 EMT-IIs, 91 Paramedics, and 101 Mobile Intensive Care Nurses are certified or accredited by North Coast EMS. Field delivery of emergency medical services is provided by four privately owned ambulance companies, one tribal ambulance service (Hoopa), one volunteer ambulance service, seven public ambulance services, and 62 public safety agencies that provide first responder services (16 of which provide Early Defribillation). Seven base hospitals provide medical control services for advanced life support (ALS) personnel, and a single facility serves as a receiving hospital. All seven hospitals are currently designated as Emergency Departments Approved for Pediatrics (EDAPs).

The overall goal of North Coast EMS is to reduce death and disability on the north coast by coordinating the EMS System.

II. The EMS System:

The EMS System is made up of a vast network of organizations and individuals who collectively provide emergency medical patient care. Starting with an unexpected illness or injury, the EMS System includes: patients, family members or bystanders who call 911 for assistance; dispatchers who send first responder and/or transport units to the scene; fire and volunteer first responders who provide on-scene basic life support and occasional advanced life support care; ambulance Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Is, EMT-IIs and Paramedics who transport patients to the nearest appropriate hospital; emergency department physicians and Mobile Intensive Care Nurses who provide medical control for prehospital personnel; emergency department and specialist physicians who provide definitive care; and, the numerous administrative and ancillary personnel who oversee and support the medical providers.
III. EMS System Volume:

Between 12,000 and 15,000 medical calls are made each year on the 911 system within the three and one-half county area. Hundreds of first responders, dispatchers, EMTs, nurses and physicians are ready around the clock to help the sick and injured.
IV. The State EMS Authority and Commission:

In 1981, legislation was adopted which established a lead EMS Agency in California (the EMS Authority) and an oversight body (the EMS Commission). These two organizations are responsible for adopting regulations and establishing statewide standards. The EMS Authority also provides general funds for regional EMS agencies and distributes special project block grant revenue.
V. The Local EMS Agency

1981 legislation also created the local EMS agency (EMSA) to plan, implement and evaluate the EMS System. This is optional, but if counties want an organized response to emergency medical patients, including Advanced Life Support, they must designate a local EMSA. This can be the county, a region, or independent contractor. North Coast EMS has served in this capacity since 1981.