Emergency Medical and Rescue Services

 

District residents are served by the City of Bend Fire Department, which holds the Ambulance Service Area (ASA) franchise for our District. The department’s highly trained firefighter-paramedics deliver advanced life support (ALS) care and transport, while dedicated emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide basic life support (BLS) services—ensuring expert medical care for every level of emergency.

The City of Bend Fire Department operates a modern fleet of ambulances, each equipped with advanced medical technology to deliver life-saving care in the field. Bend Fire & Rescue is recognized nationwide as a leader in cardiac arrest survival, earning the American Heart Association’s “Gold” Lifeline EMS Award for five consecutive years in recognition of its excellence in cardiac arrest treatment and patient care.

Every ambulance response is supported by firefighter-paramedics responding on fire engines, ensuring that the closest and most capable medical team arrives quickly to provide critical care.

In addition to emergency medical response, the department maintains a Specialized Technical Rescue Team, trained and equipped for complex rescues such as high-angle, confined space, and water emergencies. The department also provides expert vehicle extrication services using advanced tools—including the Jaws of Life—to safely free patients from crash scenes.

Together, these integrated services reflect the City of Bend Fire Department’s commitment to excellence, rapid response, and compassionate care for every member of the community.

Ambulance Rates

Ambulance service within the District is funded through user fees. When a patient receives ambulance services, they are billed for the service. Their payment—or payment from their third-party insurance—helps support the ambulance service in our community. Ambulance rates are periodically reviewed and adjusted based on cost analyses and studies. Please refer to the Ambulance Fee Schedule for current rates.

If You Need Transport

Dial 911. An ambulance will be dispatched by the Deschutes County 911 system based on the nature of the medical emergency and the location of the nearest available ambulance.

Transport destinations are determined by your medical condition at the time of the call, what is in your best interest, the proximity of the most appropriate facility, medical direction from hospital staff, and, when possible, your personal preference.