EMS Providers
Emergency Medical Services
Information on applying to become an EMT or paramedic, recertification, EMS policies and procedures and more.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification & Renewal
San Mateo County EMS Agency (EMS Agency) is the designated local authority for EMT certification and Paramedic local accreditation.
Please see the appropriate section below for information on licensure and accreditation in San Mateo County.
EMS Patient Treatment Protocols
Introduction
The use or possession of the protocol book does not exempt field personnel from the responsibility to know the information in the San Mateo County Policy and Procedures Manual. This protocol book does not replace the Policy and Procedures Manual and is provided as a tool for their reference.
Routine Medical Care
A group of standard assessments and treatments, including but not limited to airway, breathing and circulation, and the use of routine monitoring devices. See Routine Medical Care (G01) under General Care.
Care Outside of Protocol Guidelines
No set of protocols can cover all patient problems. We encourage the use of Base Physician contact in such events.
Universal Precautions
Disease agents may be present in any body substance or fluid, and the presence of disease agents may or may not be known. Clinically healthy individuals may carry and be capable of transmitting these agents. Precautions with all patients shall include routine use of appropriate barrier precautions to prevent skin and mucous-membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated. Refer to Routine Medical Care (G01) for more information.
Prehospital personnel who are exposed to potentially infectious materials should immediately follow the reporting procedures set up by their agency.
Hospital emergency departments have specific requirements for managing exposure to body substances experienced by prehospital care personnel. Emergency departments are expected to actively assist prehospital personnel in evaluating risk and recommending and/or providing appropriate prophylactic care when needed. Emergency responders are expected to identify the source patient to the hospital, and to comply with emergency department procedures (e.g. Royce log) when reporting potential exposure to infectious materials.
Prophylactic care recommendations for health care workers are found in the CDC May 23, 2018 updated U.S. Public Health Service guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendation for Post Exposure Prophylaxis. Emergency departments are expected to follow these guidelines when managing prehospital exposure to potentially infectious substances.
| Bibliography of Standard Texts Rev 1/2009 |
| Pediatric Definitions Rev 1/2009 |
| Abbreviation List Rev 1/2009 |
Treatment Protocols
| Treatment Protocol Index |
| General Treatment Protocols |
| G00 - Guide to Protocol Utilization |
| G01 - Routine Medical Care |
| G02 - End of Life Care |
| G03 - Ventricular Assist Devices |
| G04 - MCI Triage |
| Adult Cardiac Arrest – Non-traumatic Treatment Protocols |
| CA01 - Cardiac Arrest |
| CA02 - Asystole and PEA |
| CA03 - V-Fib and Pulseless V-Tach |
| CA03T - Refractory V-Tach/Pulseless V- Fib Mills-Peninsula Pilot |
| CA04 - Post Resuscitation |
| CA05 - Obvious Death |
| Adult Cardiac Dysrhthmia Treatment Protocols |
| CD01 - Symptomatic Bradycardia |
| CD02 - Narrow Complex Tachycardia |
| CD03 - Wide Complex Tachycardia |
| Adult Environment Treatment Protocols |
| E01 - Electrocution |
| E02 - Hyperthermia |
| E03 - Hypothermia and Cold Injury |
| E04 - Stings and Venomous Bites |
| Adult Toxic Exposure Treatment Protocols |
| X01 - Hazmat Exposure and Skin Exposure |
| X02 - Alcohol Intoxication |
| X03 - Overdose and Poisoning and Ingestion |
| X04 - Dystonic Reaction |
| X05 - Agitated Delirium |
| Adult Behavioral Treatment Protocols |
| B01 - Behaviorial and Psychiatric Crisis |
Reference/Drug Lists
| Adult Drug Card Rev 9/2019 |
| Pediatric Drug Card Rev 8/2019 |
Field Feedback Form
Field providers: use the form below to submit policy, procedure and/or protocol feedback.
Click here to open the form in a separate browser window.
EMS Policy & Procedure Manual
This page includes the policies, procedures, and treatment protocols for the San Mateo County prehospital care system. The information is provided by the San Mateo County Emergency Medical Services Agency, and is designed for use within San Mateo County. Updates and new policies are noted with the implementation date. Numeric gaps in document numbers indicate that a policy or procedure has been deleted and is not part of the current San Mateo County prehospital care system. Any questions should be directed to the EMS Agency at (650) 573-2564.
Memos and Communications
The following memos and communications come from the San Mateo County EMS Agency and EMS Medical Director. The following documents enhance and support current policy, procedures, and protocols. All posted content should be considered current policy.
- Patient Health Information (PHI), Pediatric CPR, End of Life Option Legislation
- Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) Definition
- Communicable Diseases with Rash and Fever
- Normal Saline
- Expired DuoDote and Atropen Auto-Injectors
- High Performance CPR Implementation, Documentation & Call Management
- EMS Ringdown Procedures
- Nasal Tracheal Intubation, High Performance CPR, Expired Medication, Death with Dignity
- Epinephrine 1mg to 1:10,000 Pre-load Shortages
- Pediatric Intubation Removal from Scope of Practice/Intramuscular (IM) injections
- Expired Medication & Mobile Stroke Unit
- Expired Medications, New Protocol Implementation, Base Contact
- Fentanyl & Morphine Availability, Interim Pain Policies, & End-of-Life Option
- Chest Pain and STEMI Care Communication
- Coming System Updates and Trainings
- Mobile Stroke Unit Rendezvous Points (19–CLN–01)
- Read more
Forms
- AED Placement Notification Form
- Controlled Substance Resupply Form
- Child Abuse & Neglect: Report Suspected Cases
- Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Report Form
- Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Report Form
- Emergency Information for Children with Special Needs
- EMS Continuing Education Provider Program Application
- Public Safety-First Aid Program Application
- EMT Initial Certification Application & Checklist
- EMT Renewal/Reinstatement Application & Checklist
- EMT Live Scan Request Form (EMT Background Check)
- EMT Skills Verification Form
- EMT Quarterly Declaration Form
- Patient Refusal of Service Release Form
- Paramedic Accreditation & Five-Call Eval Packet
- Safely Surrendered Baby Kit Order Form Please visit http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Safely-Surrendered-Baby for more informat
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Learn how to be ready for an emergency or natural disaster
- Be Earthquake Safe
- Flood Resources
- Terrorism Preparedness
- Emergency Volunteer Opportunities
- Pet Emergency Preparedness
San Mateo County EMS Peer Recognition Awards
**Nominations for 2019/2020 due 3/1/2020**
The San Mateo County Pre-hospital EMS Peer Recognition Awards for Excellence is an annual award program recognizing EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, law enforcement and EMS system partners for excellence above and beyond the call of duty.
This program was developed in 2014 by your EMS system colleagues to recognize the extraordinary service and contributions that you and your EMS peers provide to our system and community.
Public Access Defibrillation
Regulation Update for AED
On September 3, 2015 SB 658 was signed into law, reducing liability conditions on a person or entities that acquire and place an AED. As a result, Chapter 1.8, Div. 9, Title of 22 of the California Code of Regulations is now repealed.
- Health Club Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) Use Report (NEW - 2/2015)
- Law Enforcement Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) Use Report (NEW - 2/2015)
- Public Access Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) Use Report (NEW - 2/2015)
- Public Safety Provider Agency Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) Use Report (NEW - 2/2015)
- PAD Notification Form
- CA EMS Authority - Regulation Repeal Memo
- AED User/Site Coor. Checklist
- Read more
- Senate Bill No. 658, Automated External Defibrillators
- Law 360: The ABCs Of Calif.'s Automated External Defibrillator Law
- OSHA Review: AED Requirements in California – Regulations
General Information
San Mateo County began its paramedic emergency ambulance service program almost 30 years ago. One city, South San Francisco, became a paramedic provider in 1975. In 1976, San Mateo County became the first California county to conduct a Request for Proposal (RFP) process granting an exclusive operating area for emergency ambulance service. Over the next two years a countywide system of paramedic-staffed ambulances was established.
EMS Field & Optional Scope Training
- Communications with SMC Sheriff's Office Re: Naloxone
- SMC EMS Policy - Personnel 6 - Public Safety First Aid & Optional Scope
- Menlo Park PD Narcan Deployment Policy
- San Mateo County LE Naloxone Training
- Naloxone Skills Sheet
- San Mateo County LE - Naloxone Admin Report Form
- San Mateo County Naloxone Admin Training Test
Please contact San Mateo County EMS Agency regarding policy, program or training questions (650-573-2564).
CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS
- 2015 EMS Stroke Symposium
- "Kaiser Redwood City Stroke Redesign Project", Sunil Bhopale, MD, FACEP
- "Stoke Boot Camp: What does the Joint Commission Expect of Me?", S. Jennifer Cave-Brown MS, RN, NP, ACNP-BC, CNRN
- "Stroke Case Studies: Implications for EMS", Orin Eddy, MD, FACEP
- "SMC Stroke System Update/SMART Project Conclusions", Gregory H. Gilbert, MD, FAAEM
- "ICU Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke", Kyle Hobbs, MD
- "Management of ICH in the ICU", Kyle Hobbs, MD
- "The Role of Physical Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation", Christina Morgan, PT, Jessica Abele, PT,Carolyn Wilson, OTR/L, Jeff Dol
- "Organization of Stroke Care: Implications of Recent Advances", David C Tong MD FAHA FAAN FANA
- "Advances in Pediatric Stroke Management," Heather J. Fullerton, MD, MAS
- "Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Women," Elizabeth Scruth, PhD, MPH, RN, CCNS, CCRN, FCCM
- "Common Problems and Errors In Treating Hypertensive Urgencies and Emergencies," Coleman Ryan, MD, FACC
- "Rehabilitation Progression after Stroke," Kyle A. Smith, MPT, ATC, CSRS
- "Overview of Basic Neuroanatomy and Cerebrovascular Anatomy," Joey English, MD, PhD
- "Post-Stroke Depression", Stephanie Casal, RN, MS, CNS
- "The THRIVE Score", Alexander Flint, MD, PhD
- "Pediatric Neuroangiography: A Case-Based Approach", Steven Hetts, MD
- "Stroke is a Medical Emergency, Call 911", Richard Porcelli, NREMTP
- "Clinical Simulation Learning for Stroke Teams", Josephine Reyes, RN, MSN
- "Simulation Code Stroke", Waimei Amy Tai, MD
- "Emerging Therapies for Intracerebral Hemorrhage", Chitra Venkat, MBBS, MD, MSc.
- "How smart is SMARTS?", Gregory Gilbert, MD, FAAEM
- "t-PA Flight Plan:Door to Needle Time < 60 Minutes ", Sunil Bhopale, MD, FACEP
- "Advancing Acute Stroke Treatment Using the S.M.A.R.T. Approach", David C Tong, MD
- "Taking a Picture of Stroke", Anna Finley Caulfield, MD
- "Endovascular Revascularization Devices", Dorris Luong, NP
- "Modern Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage", Natasha Renda, MD
- "Acute Ischemic Stroke: Time vs. Tissue", Greg Albers, MD
- "The SMART Approach to Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy", Nobl Barazangi, MD PhD
- "Pre-Hospital Stoke Scales: A Balanced Approach", Sunil Bhopale, MD FACEP
- "A Stroke Case Scenario", Astrid Block, CNS
- "Case Presentation", Linda G. Cadelago, RN FNP
- "Endovascular Treatment of Hemorrhagic Stroke", Robert L. Dodd, MD PhD
- "San Mateo County 2nd Annual Stoke Symposium", Sheryll Domingo, RN BSN
- "Therapeutic Hypothermia", Alexander Flint, MD PhD
- "Seton Medical Center Primary Stroke Center", Amy Hanley, RN
- "Different Stroke for Different Folks", Craig Hou, MD
- "Stroke Data Matching Project: Following the Continuum of Care from Pre-Hospital to Hospital", Michael Leach, MPH
- "Acute Stroke: A Case Study of 'Not-So-Uncommon' Cause of Ischemic Stroke in Young People", Kathleen MacKerrow, RN MS GCNS
- "Risk Factors for Heart Attack and Stroke 2010", Colman Ryan, MD FACC FRCPI
- 2015 Conference Brochure
- Conference Program
- Robert Telfer Memorial Lecture
- "iTREAT and mNIHSS for Fire and First Responders", Prasha Govindarajan, MD
- "DEFUSE 3: NIH Trial", Gregory Albers, MD & Gregory Gilbert, MD
- "Coiling Versus Clipping Intracranial Aneurysms", Prasad Reddy, MD
- "Implementation of Telemedicine Services: Trials, Tribulations and Success", Panel discussion
- Conference Brochure
- Read more
Maddy Fund
Important Update: A portion of the money we normally receive for physician reimbursement through the Maddy Fund, the Emergency Medical Services Appropriation (EMSA) Funding, has been cut. Please note that we are still administering the Maddy Fund. Beginning July 1, in the fiscal year 2009-2010, all EMSA funding normally provided to local EMS agencies (LEMSA) is to be cut by the State of California.
EMS Contracts & Amendments
Request for Proposals (RFPs)
Ambulance Contracts & Amendments
- ALS Ambulance Transport Agreement, 2019-2024 (Effective 7/1/2019)
- ALS Ambulance Transport Agreement, Amendment 1, 2013-2019
- ALS Ambulance Transport Agreement, 2009-2013
- 2003 Grand Jury Report on EMS System