Times have changed.
The service hasn’t.

The county has grown and evolved.
You deserve emergency services that can, too.

We have learned from other organizations, spoken to industry leaders, completed extensive analysis, and are confident this approach will deliver the high-quality emergency medical care our communities deserve. Built on proven practices, innovation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, SLOCO-EMS will strengthen accountability, and provide lasting value to the residents, visitors, and taxpayers of San Luis Obispo County.

SLO EMS Partnership Timeline

Our Journey

Community Driven Emergency Care

1976 The 7 cities relinquish ambulance transport rights to the county.
1992 The 7 cities, frustrated with poor ambulance service, demand local input. APOC (Ambulance Performance Operations Committee) is created.
2013 California Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) Plan approved by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
2016 Contra Costa Fire Protection District partners with AMR.
2018 SLO County Fire Chiefs form EMS Working Group.
2020 SLO County Chiefs present PPP to City Managers.
2020 County Chiefs retain firm to conduct feasibility study.
2020 State AB 1705 – GEMT Public Provider Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) Program.
2021 State AB 389 – Allowing a County BOS to contract with a fire department to provide ambulance service.
2022 SLO County EMS Agency retains firm to complete EMS Assessment.
2023 San Diego Fire-Rescue partners with Falck Ambulance.
2023 County Chiefs feasibility analysis updated.
2024 Sonoma County Fire District partners with Medic Ambulance.
2025 Paso Robles City Council authorizes participation in SLO County Ambulance RFP.
2025 SLO EMS Partnership designates Paso Robles as lead agency for PPP. Subcontractor RFP awarded to AMR for ambulance transport.
2025 SLO County Board of Supervisors votes for competitive bidding process for ambulance contract (RFP).
2026 SLO EMS Partnership subcontractor RFP for billing services awarded to EMS|MC.
2026 CENCAL Fire and EMS Authority partners with AMR.
2026 SLO County to release first RFP for ambulance transport in 80 years.