The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) provides significant benefits through its fire-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) model, with all firefighters trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Paramedics. This dual training ensures that every firefighter can deliver high-quality medical care, enhancing the department’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies. Strategically located fire stations enable quick deployment, minimizing response times and improving patient outcomes during critical incidents such as cardiac arrests or traumatic injuries. By integrating EMS into fire operations, VCFD maximizes efficiency and reduces costs through shared resources and streamlined operations. The department’s all-hazards approach ensures readiness for a broad range of emergencies, from medical calls to fires and large-scale disasters. VCFD’s fire-based EMS model fosters trust within the community, providing dependable, life-saving services with a workforce that is both highly trained and versatile.
Highly Skilled Professionals
Our firefighter paramedics and EMTs bring years of hands-on experience, equipping them to manage all medical emergencies confidently. VCFD personnel undergo rigorous training and certification in advanced life support (ALS), trauma care, and critical care. From the moment a 911 call is made, until our patients arrive at the hospital, VCFD provides expert care every step of the way.
Continuance of Care From VCFD: From 911 Call to the Hospital
When a 911 call is received, VCFD dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs collaborate to provide continuous care until the patient arrives at the hospital. This coordinated approach minimizes handoff errors and ensures consistent, high-quality care throughout the process.
Hight Quality CPR
Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) firefighters leverage cutting-edge technology, such as the LUCAS CPR device, to enhance patient outcomes during cardiac arrest emergencies. The LUCAS device delivers consistent, high-quality chest compressions, freeing up firefighters to focus on other critical tasks, such as airway management, medication administration, and advanced life support interventions. This automated technology ensures uninterrupted compressions, even during patient transport, which is crucial for maintaining blood flow to vital organs. By incorporating the LUCAS device into their emergency response, VCFD demonstrates a commitment to using the latest innovations to improve survival rates and provide exceptional pre-hospital care to the community.
PulsePoint AED
The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) utilizes the PulsePoint AED application to empower citizen responders and enhance the chain of survival during cardiac emergencies. When a cardiac arrest is reported, the app alerts trained individuals nearby, enabling them to respond quickly and provide life-saving assistance before first responders arrive. PulsePoint AED also identifies the location of the closest automated external defibrillator (AED), guiding citizen responders to this critical equipment for immediate use. By integrating this technology into their emergency response efforts, VCFD fosters community involvement and ensures faster access to life-saving tools, significantly improving the chances of survival for cardiac arrest victims.
Download the PulsePoint App: https://www.pulsepoint.org/download
Learn CPR: https://atlas.heart.org/
Learn CPR at VCFD Headquarters: Dates pending, please check back.
From Major Disasters to Everyday assistance
Since 1928, your Ventura County Firefighters have been dedicated to responding to both major and minor emergencies. We have managed large-scale incidents like the Thomas and Woolsey wildfires while also addressing personal medical emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, and so much more. With the skills, knowledge, and abilities to handle any situation, VCFD firefighters are always ready to protect the community. The department is committed to effectively responding to large-scale disasters and individual emergencies impacting community members.
