Paramedic / EMS Services

The Chino Valley Independent Fire District provides advanced life support (ALS) care to approximately 170,000 people in the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, and surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. Six Paramedic Engine Companies are staffed with a Captain, Engineer, and a minimum of two Firefighter/Paramedics.  A Paramedic Truck Company also serves the District with a minimum of one Paramedic.

Additionally, many of the District's Captains and Engineers are licensed Paramedics.  EMT's and Paramedics funtion under California regulations and San Bernardino County protocols.  CVIFD Paramedics provide state-of-the-art advanced life support, including pre-hospital 12-lead ECG's, standing orders for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome, and transcutaneous cardiac pacing.  The local EMS Agnency, or ICEMA, allow undefined scope-of-practice skills to include pediatric intubation, intra-osseous infusion, nasal intubation, needle thoracostomy, nasogastric tube insertion, and needle cricothyrotomy.  These skills are maintained through required annual skills workshops, and annual re-certification classes.  The Fire District provides all required continuing education to EMT's and Paramedics to maintain their certification.

A Paramedic Captain serves as the EMS Coordinator and Training Officer.  The Medical Director, Dr. Kevin Parkes, functions in an advisory capacity and provides continuing education, as needed.  Dr. Parkes participates in the County Medical Advisory Committee, which oversees the protocols utilized by Paramedics.

Medical facilities within the District include a base station hospital, Chino Valley Medical Center.  Within San Bernardino County, there are two Trauma Centers.   Loma Linda University Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center and Pediatric Trauma Center, is within 15 minutes via air ambulance.  Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, a Level I Trauma and Burn Center, is within 12 minutes via air ambulance.  Ground Transport of patients within the District is provided by American Medical Response, a private provider.