9.2 EMS Expansion (1980s) & Fire-Based EMS System
Key Takeaways
- PFD was initially formed only to extinguish fires but has changed vastly to adapt to public needs.
- In the 1980s the department adopted Emergency Medical Services, a major improvement in the service-delivery system.
- Phoenix’s Fire-Based EMS system is extremely effective and efficient; as EMTs and Paramedics, members literally save lives every day.
- Primary functions are Fire Protection and EMS; members are also paid to perform a variety of innovative and efficient tasks.
- Professionals do not judge customer encounters by importance; they arrive ready to assist in any endeavor, large or small, and are empowered to do “what is right.”
9.2 EMS Expansion (1980s) & Fire-Based EMS System
Quick Answer: PFD was initially formed only to extinguish fires, then adapted to public needs. In the 1980s it adopted Emergency Medical Services—a major improvement in service delivery. Phoenix Fire-Based EMS is extremely effective and efficient; EMTs and Paramedics save lives every day. Primary functions are Fire Protection and EMS, plus many innovative tasks. Professionals do not judge encounter importance, arrive ready for any call, and are empowered to do “what is right.”
Section Five pairs the permanent fire charge with a second truth: the department’s future depends on recognizing and implementing positive change. Fire protection never left; the service portfolio expanded.
From fire-only origins to public-need adaptation
The packet states the origin story in one clean line:
The Phoenix Fire Department was initially formed only to extinguish fires, but we have changed vastly over the years to adapt to the needs of the public.
Exam implications:
| Then | Now (packet framing) |
|---|---|
| Formed only to extinguish fires | Multi-service provider of many critical services |
| Narrow mission | Broad public-need adaptation |
| Static identity | Future depends on positive change |
The future as a provider of many critical services depends on the ability to recognize and implement positive change. On situational or values-style items, resistance to needed change conflicts with this duties language.
1980s: EMS adoption as a major service-delivery upgrade
The landmark expansion is dated and named:
In the 1980’s we adopted the responsibility of providing Emergency Medical Services, which was a major improvement in our service delivery system.
Memorize three pieces for the written exam:
- When: the 1980s (packet spelling: 1980’s)
- What: responsibility for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Why it mattered: a major improvement in the service delivery system
Do not invent a different decade or treat EMS as “unofficial” or temporary. EMS is adopted responsibility—core service delivery, not a side project.
Fire-Based EMS: effective, efficient, life-saving daily
Phoenix does not describe EMS as generic add-on medical coverage. The model is Fire-Based Emergency Medical Services:
The Phoenix Fire Department’s system of providing Fire-Based Emergency Medical Services is extremely effective and efficient. As Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, we literally save lives every day.
| Phrase | What to lock in |
|---|---|
| Fire-Based EMS | Delivery model tied to the fire department system |
| Extremely effective and efficient | Official quality claim—both effectiveness and efficiency |
| EMTs and Paramedics | Credential roles that deliver care |
| Save lives every day | Daily, not rare, life-saving impact |
For recruits, this section links directly to hiring and academy reality: Arizona EMT (and later ALS pathways) are not paperwork obstacles—they are how PFD delivers one of its primary public services.
Primary functions—and the wider innovative portfolio
The packet next clarifies mission priority without shrinking the job:
Our primary function is Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services; however, we are paid to perform a variety of tasks, some of which represent the best example of government innovation and efficiency.
Break that into exam layers:
- Primary functions: Fire Protection and EMS (both—not fire alone, not EMS alone).
- Also paid for: a variety of additional tasks.
- Character of some tasks: best examples of government innovation and efficiency.
The department is continually exploring innovative and efficient opportunities to serve and protect citizens. Breadth is intentional.
Empowered to do “what is right”
Customer encounters sometimes present a chance to simply do “what is right”—and members are empowered to do so. That phrase is high-yield:
- Not every good action is limited to a narrow SOP checkbox mentality.
- Empowerment is official, not freelancing without standards.
- “What is right” sits inside customer service, safety, and professional judgment.
If a scenario offers a safe, ethical, customer-centered action that solves the real problem, the packet culture supports taking it rather than hiding behind “that’s not my job.”
Professionals do not rank the importance of encounters
One of the strongest professional standards in Section Five is:
Professionals don’t judge these encounters in level of importance. Professionals arrive ready, willing, and able to assist in any endeavor, large or small, that we are called upon to help.
| Unprofessional mindset | Professional (packet) mindset |
|---|---|
| “This call is beneath us” | No ranking of importance |
| Energy only for “big” jobs | Ready for large or small endeavors |
| Selective willingness | Ready, willing, and able every time |
You may wear “Phoenix Fire Department” on the shirt, but you serve in many other roles. It is crucial to understand that members must be many things to many people and that services cover a very broad range.
This is the bridge between EMS expansion and daily duty: firefighters are multi-role public servants. EMS did not replace fire; it expanded the definition of how Phoenix firefighters protect the community.
How Section 9.2 shows up on the exam
Expect items that ask:
- Original purpose of PFD? → formed only to extinguish fires
- Why change? → adapt to public needs; positive change for the future
- When was EMS adopted? → 1980s; major service-delivery improvement
- How is Fire-Based EMS described? → extremely effective and efficient; EMTs/Paramedics save lives daily
- What are primary functions? → Fire Protection and EMS
- How do professionals treat small vs large calls? → do not judge importance; ready for any endeavor
- What are members empowered to do in customer encounters? → “what is right”
Study checklist for Section 9.2
- Origin: initially formed only to extinguish fires.
- Change driver: adapt to needs of the public; implement positive change.
- EMS era: 1980s adoption; major improvement in service delivery.
- Model label: Fire-Based EMS—extremely effective and efficient.
- Roles: EMTs and Paramedics save lives every day.
- Primary functions: Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services.
- Plus: variety of innovative/efficient tasks; continually exploring opportunities.
- Professional standard: no importance ranking; ready/willing/able for large or small.
- Empowerment: do “what is right” when customer encounters present that opportunity.
- Identity: many roles to many people; broad service range under the PFD shirt.
According to the study packet, when did the Phoenix Fire Department adopt the responsibility of providing Emergency Medical Services?
How does the official packet describe Phoenix’s Fire-Based Emergency Medical Services system?
What does the packet identify as the primary function(s) of Phoenix firefighters?
Which statement best matches how professionals treat customer encounters under Section Five?