About the E.M.S.R.
About the EMS Reserve
The EMS Reserve is a unique volunteer unit of the Pasadena Fire Department, founded to provide emergency medical services to the citizens and visitors of Pasadena, California, and to provide an opportunity for EMTs to gain important experience within one of Los Angeles County's premiere EMS providers.
Founded in 1981, this 43 year old organization operates as a self-governed volunteer unit within the Pasadena Fire Department, a non-volunteer department.
The EMS Reserve exists to augment emergency medical and disaster services provided by the Pasadena Fire Department's paid staff with EMT certified volunteers.
The unit is dedicated strictly to Emergency Medical Services and does not provide firefighting or rescue services.
Members of the EMS Reserve carry out the three main missions of the EMS Reserve by:
- Operating as a third-person on the Department's front-line Advanced Life Support (ALS) Rescue Ambulances;
- Providing Emergency Medical Services at large Pasadena-area public events; and,
- Providing a ready reserve of trained and experienced EMS personnel in case of major catastrophes.
Who is the EMS Reserve?
Members of the E.M.S.R represent a broad segment of the community. Members vary in age, gender, education, and employment just to name a few. Many of our members are not employed in emergency services or even in the health care field. All active members are EMT certified.
A Brief History of the EMS Reserve
The EMS Reserve was founded in November of 1981 as part of the City of Pasadena's Paramedic Department. In 1986, the City's Paramedic and Fire departments merged and the Reserve found a new home within the Pasadena Fire Department's EMS Division.
Since that time, the EMS Reserve has seen hundreds of members come through our ranks, logging over 154,172 hours in service to the City.