EMS Providers
COVID-19: Guidance & Resources for SMC EMS Field Providers
| Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Mgmt. of First Responders with Potential Exposure to Persons with COVID-19_7/28 | Rev: 7/28/2020 |
| Memo to HC Facilities: Required Notification on Reportable Infectious Disease to Prehospital Personnel | 5/1/2020 |
| Expired Medication | 3/31/2020 |
| EMS Flowchart to Assess Potential COVID-19 Patients | 3/19/2020 |
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.
**COVID-19: In-Person Application Hours, and License Renewal Requirements**
EMS Agency continues to hold in-person EMT application hours, by appointment, for first time/initial certification applicants only. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at ems@smcgov.org or by phone at 650-573-2009.
Renewal applicants must apply by mail or email (see EMT Renewal/Reinstatment Checklist under ‘Forms’ for details).
NOTE: ALL standard training/documentation requirements – including Skills Verification - remain in effect for EMT renewals (no exceptions). See the Renewal/Reinstatement tab for a list of the standard requirements.
County Volunteers During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic we may need volunteers to help serve vulnerable members of our community. Those interesting in volunteering time are advised to complete the following County Volunteer Survey.
EMS Field Treatment Guidelines
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.
Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20
Treatment Guidelines
| Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20 |
| 2020 Field Treatment Guidelines - Index |
Section 1 – General Treatment Protocols
| G00 - Guide to Protocol Utilization |
| G01 - Routine Medical Care |
| G02 - End of Life Care |
| G03 - Ventricular Assist Devices |
| G04 - MCI Triage |
Section 2 – Adult Cardiac Arrest – Non-traumatic Treatment Protocols
Section 3 – Adult Cardiac Dysrhthmia Treatment Protocols
| CD 01 - Bradycardia (Symptomatic) |
| CD02 - Narrow Complex Tachycardia |
| CD03 - Wide Complex Tachycardia |
Section 4 – Adult Respiratory Distress Treatment Protocols
Section 5 – Adult Environment Treatment Protocols
| E04 - Stings and Venomous Bites |
| E03 - Hypothermia and Cold Injury |
| E02 - Hyperthermia |
| E01 - Electrocution |
Section 6 – 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 |
Section 7 – Adult Behavioral Treatment Protocols
| B01 - Behaviorial and Psychiatric Crisis |
Section 8 – Adult Medical Treatment Protocols
Section 9 – Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Treatment Protocols
| PC01 - Cardiac Arrest |
| PC02 - Aystole and PEA |
| PC03 - V-Fib and Pulseless V-Tach |
| PC04 - Post Resuscitation |
| PC05 - Obvious Death |
Section 10 – Pediatric Cardiac Dysrhythmia Treatment Protocols
| PD01 - Bradycardia |
| PD02 - Tachycardia (Stable) |
| PC03 - Tachycardia (Unstable) |
Section 11 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Respiratory
Section 12 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Environmental
| PE01 - Electrocution |
| PE02 - Hyperthermia |
| PE03 - Hypothermia/Cold Injury |
| PE04 - Stings/Envonomations |
Section 13 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Toxic Exposure
| PX01 - Hazmat Exposure/Skin Exposure |
| PX02 - Alcohol Inxotication |
| PX03 - Overdose/Poisoning/Ingestion |
| PX04 - Dystonic Reaction |
| PX05 - Agitated Delirium |
Section 14 - Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Behavioral
| PB01 - Behavioral/Psychiatric Crisis |
Section 15 - Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Medical
Section 16 – Trauma Treatment Protocols
| T01 - Trauma Triage |
| T02 - Extremity Trauma |
| T03 - Head Trauma |
| T04 - Multi-System Trauma |
| T05 - Traumatic Arrest |
| T06 - Burns |
Section 17 – Field Procedures
Reference/Drug Lists
| Adult Drug Reference - 7/2020 |
| Pediatric Drug Reference - 7/2020 |
| Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20 |
Mobile App
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)
- EMS Adult Treatment Protocols (19 – CLN – 002)
- EMS Mobile App (19-CLN-03)
- EMS Flowchart to Assess Potential COVID-19 Patients
- Expired Medications
- Healthcare Facilities - Required Notification on Reportable Infectious Disease to Prehospital Personnel
- EMS Week 2020 – Ready Today. Preparing for Tomorrow.
- Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Mgmt. of First Responders with Potential Exposure to Persons with COVID-19_7/28
- Read more
Forms
- AED Placement Notification Form
- Controlled Substance Resupply Form
- Child Abuse & Neglect: Report Suspected Cases
- 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 Live Scan Request Form & Instructions
- EMT Skills Verification Form & Instructions
- 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 information regarding CA Safely Surrendered Baby Law.
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 2020/2021 Are Now Being Accepted
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.
EMS PLANS & REPORTS
System Overviews
EMS Plans & Reports
- 2019-20 - San Mateo County STEMI Critical Care System Plan
- 2019-20 - San Mateo County Stroke Critical Care System Plan
- 2020 EMS Trauma System Status Report
- 2018 - San Mateo County EMS Plan Update
- 2017 - San Mateo County EMS Plan
- 2019 - EMS QI Plan
- 2018 - EMS QI Plan
- 2016-17 EMS Trauma System Status Report
- 2017-18 EMS Trauma System Status Report
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 Naloxone Admin Training Test
San Mateo County LE – Naloxone Administration Reporting (refer to the ‘Forms’ section of the SMC EMS mobile phone app).
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