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Lake Havasu City launches 24/7 ALS ambulance service in partnership with River Medical
Summary
The city’s fire department began a locally run ambulance transport program providing two advanced life-support ambulances 24/7, regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services; chiefs said the program increases redundancy and shortens response times.
Lake Havasu City has implemented a city-run ambulance transport program that places two advanced life-support ambulances in service around the clock, the fire chief said at the Feb. 7 Coffee with the Mayor.
The program, developed in partnership with River Medical, was approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services after a roughly three-and-a-half-year process, the chief said. It is a non-profit, cost-of-service model in which fees for transport are retained to support the program rather than being distributed to an outside company.
Fire Chief Pete described the program as a response to a prior lack of redundancy when River Medical had been the sole provider. Under the city model dispatch uses a “closest available unit” policy, which sends the nearest ambulance — city or River Medical — to 911 emergencies. Chief Pete said that since the program began, the city has had very few delays and that the program helps maintain response-time standards.
Key details from the presentation - Two ALS ambulances staffed 24/7 are now available under the city program. - The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates ambulance transport; the city presented justification and was approved after a multi-year process. - Chief Pete told the audience that approximately 70–80% of transports are for residents; one specific figure given was 94% of transports were residents when he first arrived (the chief framed that as evidence the program serves local needs).
Why the city moved forward Chief Pete said the city’s feasibility study showed the community needed redundancy in ambulance service to avoid reliance on a single private provider. He said the model keeps revenue in a non-profit program to support local emergency medical services and that other jurisdictions have asked about the city’s approach.
What was not changed The chief said the program is strictly for 911 emergency response and does not handle non-emergency interfacility transports. When mutual aid or major incidents require more units, engines can be taken out of service temporarily to staff additional ambulances.
Next steps and community impact Officials said the city will continue to refine operations; the fire chief praised his department and River Medical for the partnership. City and department staff will monitor performance data and adjust staffing and fleet composition as needed.
