New AMR ambulance fleet launches in Merced County to improve 911 response times

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new fleet of ambulances is now on the road in Merced County after American Medical Response (AMR) officially took over as the county's 911 medical emergency responder on Wednesday.

"It is a life-or-death situation, and times are absolutely critical," said Merced City Fire Chief Csaey Wilson. "Having adequate 911 services in our community is absolutely crucial."

The transition brings more than 20 brand-new ambulances equipped with technology designed to evenly disperse crews across the county.

The fully staffed team includes dispatchers and EMTs. Smaller cities like Atwater will see an increase from one ambulance within city limits to two available at all times.

"We have 24-hour stations in Dos Palos and Los Banos," said Daniel Iniguez, AMR regional director. "We have a substation where units will deploy out of Los Banos."

More than 90% of the staff transferred from the previous provider, Riggs, including EMT Jacob Villarreal.

"It feels great to be hired on with AMR," Villarreal said. "It's great that they took us along. I'm really happy about it."

County officials cited rising call volumes and a paramedic shortage as factors that strained response times.

RELATED: Merced County Board of Supervisors vote out Riggs Ambulance, new service to begin in January

"It has strained our city fire units, keeping them on scene for excessive amounts of time, creating challenges getting patients to the hospital," Wilson said.

After Riggs' contract expired, county leaders unanimously selected AMR following a contentious review process.

Supervisor Daron McDaniel said the decision was driven by community concerns.

"I've had to sit with constituents who've lost their parents, and there's nothing worse than having to sit there and go through the process and find out - was it the ambulance service? Was it our issue with the county? Was it just a pinpoint exactly where that was," McDaniel said.

AMR, one of the nation's largest private ambulance providers, also serves Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Sacramento and several other California counties.

Iniguez said the company is committed to improving care.

"We're open 24/7. EMS doesn't have an off day, so they're there no matter - rain or shine," he said.

This contract will last for the next five years, and then the county will reevaluate if they want to continue or change to another company.

AMR tells Action News that as time goes by, they will reassess and if needed, they're willing to add even more units to ensure quick response times.

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