California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)

California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) More info: emsa.ca.gov/about_emsa The EMS Authority is one of thirteen departments within California's Health and Human Services Agency.

The EMS Authority is charged with providing leadership in developing and implementing EMS systems throughout California and setting standards for the training and scope of practice of various levels of EMS personnel. Prior to 1980, California did not have a central state agency responsible for ensuring the development and coordination of EMS services and programs statewide. Although the many stakeholders in EMS, including local administrators, fire agencies, ambulance companies, hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers did not agree on many issues, there was a consensus that a more unified approach to emergency and disaster medical services was needed. Thus, as the result of several years of effort by the EMS constituents to establish a state lead agency and centralized resource to over see emergency and disaster medical services, the Emergency Medical Services System and Prehospital Emergency Care Personnel Act (SB 125) was passed, creating the Emergency Medical Services Authority and adding Division 2.5 to the Health and Safety Code (Sections 1797-1799). The EMS Authority also has responsibility for promoting disaster medical preparedness throughout the state, and, when required, managing the state's medical response to major disasters. Emergency and disaster medical services in California are rooted in the skills and commitment of the first responders, EMTs, nurses, physicians, and administrators who deliver care to the public and operate the system. In order for high quality services to be delivered with high efficiency, all aspects of EMS systems must work together, mutually reinforcing and supporting each other for the benefit of the patient. The California EMS Authority, through standard setting, consensus building, and leadership, plays a central role in improving the quality of emergency medical services available for all Californians. In California, day-to-day EMS system management is the responsibility of the local and regional EMS agencies. It is principally through these agencies that the EMS Authority works to promote quality EMS services statewide. EMS Authority staff also work closely with many local, state and federal agencies and private enterprises with emergency and/or disaster medical services roles and responsibilities.

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Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Facebook Comment Policy

Thank you for being a fan of the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) page. EMSA participates in Facebook in order to provide stakeholders and members of the public with the up-to-date, accurate and timely information, tools and resources relating to EMS in the State of California. If you have any questions, concerns or need additional information, please contact EMSA via phone or email. EMSA Main Phone Number is (916) 322-4336. Disclaimer:

Posted comments and images do not necessarily represent the views of EMSA. External, non-EMSA links on this site do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of EMSA. While we encourage fans to share thoughts and opinions on the EMSA page, we expect that this will be done in a respectful manner. EMSA does not agree with or endorse every comment that individuals post on our page. Our goal is to share ideas and information with as many individuals as possible and our policy is to accept the majority of comments made to our page. Therefore, a comment, video or photo will be deleted if it contains:

- Hate speech
- Profanity, implied profanity, obscenity or vulgarity
- Nudity in profile pictures
- Defamation to a person or people
- Name calling and/or personal attacks
- Comments whose main purpose is to sell a product or service
- Comments that infringe on copyrights
- Spam comments, such as the same comment posted repeatedly on a profile
- Links to non-EMS related sites, and
- Other comments that the EMSA Social Media team deems inappropriate such as comments that are off topic. All links posted as comments on EMSA’s page will be reviewed and may be deleted. Repeated violations of the EMSA Facebook comment policy may cause the author to be blocked from EMSA’s page. Thank you for your understanding of EMSA’s Facebook Comment Policy. You may call EMSA’s Social Media Team if you have questions regarding the policy at (916) 322-4336.

Today, we honor the first responders who ran toward danger, putting the safety of others first.  We honor their families...
09/11/2026

Today, we honor the first responders who ran toward danger, putting the safety of others first.

We honor their families, colleagues and communities who still feel the loss.

We strive to carry forward their commitment to service.

Photo by Eric Draper, National Archives (5997366)

09/10/2026
Tickets are now available for EMSA’s Using Data to Drive Equity and Quality Symposium!Join EMS professionals and partner...
09/10/2026

Tickets are now available for EMSA’s Using Data to Drive Equity and Quality Symposium!

Join EMS professionals and partners from across California on Friday, October 16 in Oakland for a day focused on using data to improve patient care, strengthen our EMS system, and advance health equity.

Reserve your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1993543835276?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope you’ll join us!

If you work with or rely on a service dog,   is a great opportunity to be sure they're included in your emergency plans....
09/09/2026

If you work with or rely on a service dog, is a great opportunity to be sure they're included in your emergency plans.

🐾 Pack food, water, and meds

🐾 Keep vaccination and service papers handy

🐾 Know transport and shelter options that accept service animals

Emergency Preparedness Guide 🔗: bit.ly/49qKgj8

Photo: California Department of Aging

California Department of Rehabilitation California Health & Human Services Agency California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

There's help if you need to talk through things. If work feels like a lot, or if life feels like a lot—let 988 be a reso...
09/08/2026

There's help if you need to talk through things. If work feels like a lot, or if life feels like a lot—let 988 be a resource.

Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

Graphic: California Health & Human Services Agency

You don't have to be in crisis to ask for help. Whatever you're facing, your reason is reason enough to reach out to the 988 Lifeline.

Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone. 🩵💜

Save the date! The 29th Annual EMS for Children Educational Forum is November 5, 2026, in Fairfield.Join pediatric EMS a...
09/01/2026

Save the date! The 29th Annual EMS for Children Educational Forum is November 5, 2026, in Fairfield.

Join pediatric EMS and hospital partners at the NorthBay Healthcare Green Valley Administration Center for a full day of training, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Sessions cover PECARN research, pediatric asthma, burn care, neurodiversity, street drug trends, and pediatric airway management. Five BRN and EMS credits are offered.

Register by October 11 to lock in the current rate.

🔗: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/29th-annual-ems-for-children-educational-forum-registration-1996152175893?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Or use the QR code on the flyer to register.

Diane Sabonis was sworn in this week as EMSA’s Chief Counsel.Diane brings a quiet confidence to her work, and an open do...
08/27/2026

Diane Sabonis was sworn in this week as EMSA’s Chief Counsel.

Diane brings a quiet confidence to her work, and an open door to her colleagues at EMSA. When staff need to talk through an issue, she always makes the time.

She first joined EMSA in 2023 as attorney for the Paramedic Disciplinary Review Board and later served as special advisor to the Director. She stepped in as the department’s lead attorney and has now been appointed to the role.

Diane has 18 years of administrative law experience, including 13 years as an attorney advisor with the Social Security Administration. Before law, she served as a forensic chemist with the DEA and worked for the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna.

We feel lucky to have her. Congrats, Diane!

Ambulance Strike Team Leaders & Trainees: Here’s an upcoming training opportunity.Looking to build the knowledge and lea...
08/21/2026

Ambulance Strike Team Leaders & Trainees: Here’s an upcoming training opportunity.

Looking to build the knowledge and leadership skills needed to function as an Ambulance Strike Team Leader?

EMSA and the California Ambulance Association are hosting an ASTL 2.0 course on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the Westin Anaheim Resort.

This one-day course prepares students to begin the credentialing process with their Local EMS Agency and EMSA. Even if you’ve taken the training before, the program has been completely revised. We encourage you to attend and see what’s new.

8 hours of CE are available upon completion.
All students must be pre-registered. Seats are limited.

Register here: https://wkf.ms/41ZKcmj

Questions? Email [email protected]

Registration is now open for the 2026 Stroke and STEMI Summit!Join us October 27–28 at the Kona Kai Resort in San Diego ...
08/20/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Stroke and STEMI Summit!

Join us October 27–28 at the Kona Kai Resort in San Diego for two days of learning, collaboration, and innovation in time-critical emergency care.

This year’s summit will bring together clinicians, administrators, system partners, and stakeholders from across California to strengthen partnerships and advance care for stroke and STEMI patients.

Eventbrite 🔗: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-stroke-and-stemi-summit-tickets-1993956050222?aff=oddtdtcreator

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11120 International Drive, Suite 200
Rancho Cordova, CA
95670

Opening Hours

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Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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