Paramedics

The Redwood City Fire Department hired its first paramedics in spring of 1997. The first 3 paramedics worked at Station 11 on 2nd and Bay. In 1998 the Redwood City Fire Department sent 13 firefighters to school to become paramedics.

Today, there are no less than 5 firefighter/paramedics on duty (one on each engine and one on the tiller-truck) with a total of 18 firefighter/paramedics working for the department. All of our paramedics are cross trained as firefighters – offering a plethora of skills for emergency situations – they could fight a roaring structure fire in the morning and deliver a baby in the afternoon.

Having a firefighter/paramedic respond to every call is advantageous to the citizens of Redwood City. The Fire Department usually responds to an emergency scene in less than 4 minutes and can start delivering life saving care upon arrival. Skills such as administering IVs, giving death cheating drugs, supplying advanced airway and breathing support, or delivering jolting electrical energy to a quivering heart are just some examples.