Background & History
The Fire Service in Anne Arundel County has a long history of providing medical care/first aid. The first Ambulance Services were provided by individual Volunteer Fire Companies throughout the County in the early 1950’s. Some of the early ambulances were the GMC carry all sedans that were converted into ambulances. During this era, two Volunteer companies, the Brooklyn Community Volunteer Fire Department and the West Annapolis Volunteer Fire.
Company and Improvement Association were the only companies that carried the portable iron lung devices used to provide life saving respiratory therapy in the days before cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
After the formation of Charter Government in Anne Arundel County in 1965, The Anne Arundel County Fire Department took over the responsibility for providing Emergency Medical Services. During this time period, first aid /medical transports were still accomplished by individual volunteer companies. However, some ambulances (Woodland Beach VFD; Earleigh Heights VFD, Co-12; Brooklyn Community VFD, Co-31; Linthicum VFD, Co-32; Glen Burnie VFD, Co-33; and Avalon Shores VFD, [7th District Rescue Squad, Co-24] Co-41) were independently staffed during the day with career employees trained to the level of advanced first aid who supplemented the volunteer forces. Two of these units (Co-32 and Co-33) ultimately evolved into the first 24 hour round the clock ambulances staffed by shift work career firefighters. This was followed with two additional round the clocks ambulances (Co-31 and Co-12) two years later.
As the delivery of fire based Emergency Medical Services continued to evolve in the1970’s, the Fire Department began training personnel to the level of Emergency Medical Technicians in 1972. In the mid 1970’s, the Department formed an Emergency Medical Services Division and the Department began the transition into the Paramedic age. Three Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, staffed with career personnel trained to the level of Cardiac Rescue Technician, were established at Co-12, Co-32, and Co-33. In 1974, the department began to place non-transport paramedic units in service. The first generation of these units was the Ford Torino station wagon; with the second generation evolving into Chevy Suburban’s.
Today, Anne Arundel County’s Emergency Medical Services system has grown into a nationally recognized model of excellence in prehospital care. The Department operates 30 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, 14 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, 10 ALS-equipped engine companies, and three 24-hour EMS Supervisor units. Staffed by over 1,000 career and volunteer Firefighter/EMTs and Paramedics certified at both state and national levels, these dedicated professionals serve a a dynamic and growing community of more than 600,000 residents and respond to over 58,000 medical calls, providing life saving care and transport to hospitals and specialty centers across the region. Through continuous innovation, training, and a deep commitment to service, Anne Arundel County Fire Department proudly continues its legacy while leading the way in modern pre-hospital emergency medicine.