SAEMS provides advanced life support at the site of a medical emergency and transports patients to appropriate medical facilities. Medical control is provided by physicians via voice communication on a 24-hour basis. Continuing education is administered by registered nurses. All EMS units are equipped with mobile computers, which allow voiceless communication. Paramedics utilize bicycles and a specialized golf cart to serve citizens attending major functions and events within the City of San Antonio. The EMS Division is proactively involved in injury prevention and health awareness programs targeted toward the community at large.

SAEMS provides pre-hospital emergency service to a population of 1.2 million people, within an area of 417 square miles. All SAEMS ambulances are strategically placed and housed in fire station locations throughout the City of San Antonio (see map). In addition to the City of San Antonio, other municipalities or entities serviced by SAEMS include Balconies Heights, Castle Hills, Helotes, Windcrest, Kelly, USA, and Brooks Air Force Base

Since 1974, SAEMS has provided the San Antonio and surrounding community with excellent and unparalleled service to the citizenry. Each SAEMS unit is staffed with two certified or licensed paramedics, who are trained, authorized, and monitored by the University of Texas Health Science Center Emergency Medical Technology Department staff, overseen by an emergency care physician, who also serves as the SAEMS Medical Director. Initial paramedic training curriculum and annual Continuing Education is developed according to Texas Department of Health guidelines and standards, and includes but is not limited to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Education for Pre-Hospital Professionals (PEPP), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) and various other focuses.

In Fiscal 2003/04, SAEMS dispatched units 120,041 times, in response to 109,277 incidents. SAEMS units achieved a "call received to scene arrival" response time of 8.45 minutes. Additionally, SAEMS units transported an estimated 52,524 patients to area hospital emergency departments. The 2002/03 budget for SAEMS was $37.3 million dollars.

In Fiscal 2004/05, San Antonio EMS estimates 124,383 dispatches of units in response to 113,400 incidents, resulting in the transport of 57,558 patients. Response time (call received to arrival) is projected to be 8.30 minutes.

San Antonio Emergency Medical Services provides emergency service and care via the activation of listed ambulance crews and specialized teams, through the use of appropriate equipment, and as a result of the proper education and training, which includes:

•  26 full-time ambulances.
• Up to 9 Peak Period ambulances.
• Mobile Intensive Care Units, equipped, inspected, and maintained according to Texas Department of Health standards.
• A program to equip all SAEMS units with 12 Lead electrocardiogram (ECGs) has been approved and is soon to be initiated.
• An operationally-based continuing education program that includes but is not limited to specialized instruction in emergency driving, the safe handling of concealed weapons and the use of proper lifting techniques.
• A Special Medical Operations Team comprised of paramedics that are specially trained in Hazardous Materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Tactical EMS situations requiring advanced skills and knowledge unique to the situation.
• A Paramedic Bike Team, equipped with Basic and Advanced Life Support equipment and activated for use at difficult-to-access special events attracting masses of people.
• A Paramedic Golf Cart specially designed, configured, and equipped for use by Paramedic Bike Team personnel transport patients at special events from difficult-to-access locations to a waiting ambulance.
• A Paramedic Public Relations Team that provides safety education, children's education, public awareness, and career assistance to a variety of schools and organizations.
• An EMS Supply Services facility that is staffed with a supervisor, administrative assistance, a mechanic, and stock clerks, who oversee the purchase, receipt, distribution, maintenance, and subsequent replacement of all equipment and inventory necessary to attain full-functioning emergency response units.

The administrative and supervisory structure for SAEMS includes:

The Chief of EMS (Assistant Fire Chief), who is responsible for the development, dissemination, and adherence to operational and administrative policies, procedures, and guidelines. Other administrative duties include but are not limited to interface with city government and public and professional medical organizations, staffing, and operational oversight of the EMS and Communication Divisions, budgetary and related procedures, The EMS Administrative Chief (District Fire Chief), who is responsible for the receipt of public commendations or complaints related to services, investigative duties, billing questions and concerns, as well as interfacing with public and professional organizations. An EMS Shift Commander (Captain) over each of four SAEMS duty shifts, who is responsible for staffing, scheduling, and operational adjustments of units and personnel, and in attaining adherence to operational and administrative policies, procedures, and guidelines. The entire SAEMS duty shift and its resources is subdivided into four districts, each directly supervised by an EMS Field Officer (Lieutenants). On a daily basis, these officers are responsible for the direct supervision of personnel and to duties and responsibilities related to inspecting, replacing, monitoring essential equipment and inventory needs of their personnel.

San Antonio Communication Dispatch Center

Telephone calls from citizens requesting emergency services via the 911 emergency telephone system are routed to the Communication Dispatching Center, which is:

A state-of-the-art Communications Center staffed with full-time, field-experienced paramedics trained to successfully guide callers through pre-arrival instructions. Comprised of five call-taker positions and three fulltime and one Peak Period dispatchers and one supervisor (Lieutenant).

Overseen by the Chief of Communications (District Fire Chief), who is responsible for administrative and operational oversight, development, dissemination and adherence to Dispatch, Fire Suppression, and EMS operational polices and procedures, interface with public and professional organizations, budgetary monitoring, and dispatch logistics.

Administratively assisted by the Communications Executive Officer (Lieutenant), who is responsible for policy and procedure adherence, coordination of mainframe computer adjustments and updates, and interfacing with public and professional organizations.

Supervised by the Communication Shift Officer (Lieutenant), who is responsible for directly supervision and guidance of the call-takers and dispatchers, interface with Fire Suppression and EMS supervisory personnel, receipt of citizen and operationally based commendations, complaints, and concerns, and monitoring of appropriate staffing and associated matters.

BILLING- In keeping with the City's policy of making special services self-sustaining, the services provided by the San Antonio EMS are billed to the customer at a rate set by City Council by ordinance amending City Code, Section 15-3.

(a)   The fee for the transportation (transport) of patients requiring basic life support emergency medical services is $388.09 per patient plus $9.00 per mile. The fee for the transportation (transport) of patients requiring advanced life support level I emergency medical services is $416.12 per patient plus $9.00 per mile. The fee for the transportation (transport) of patients requiring advanced life support level II emergency medical services is $562.16 per patient plus $9.00 per mile. In addition to the transportation fee, a surcharge of $100.00 is assessed to each nonresident patient who is transported for emergency medical services. A nonresident is any person who does not permanently reside within the territorial limits of the city or who resides within the territorial limits of an adjoining incorporated city which does not have a contract with the city to provide emergency medical services.

(b)   The fee for an emergency medical services call which does not require transportation (non-transport) is fifty dollars ($50.00) per patient.

(c)   The fee for the transportation of a deceased person to the morgue is seventy dollars ($70.00).

(d)   There is hereby established a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per response by a fire department medical first responder unit and said fee shall be charged to the person provided emergency medical services. No such fee shall be charged where the person provided emergency medical services is sixty (60) years of age or older.

(e)   There is hereby established the following schedule of fees to be paid to the city by each patient who is provided or administered the listed emergency medical supplies, medications, or services, per each use:

All questions related to billing should be directed to the EMS Administrative Offices at (210) 207-7525 between the hours of 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM (Central Standard Time).

CITIZEN/CUSTOMER CONTACT POINT: commendations, complaints, or other inquiries related to the provision of service by SAEMS personnel should be directed to the EMS Administrative offices at (210) 207-7525 between the hours of 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM (Central Standard Time).