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1300+American Medical Response (AMR) has asked a court to block San Bernardino County from switching ambulance providers this week. The company filed a request for a temporary restraining order on Sept. 25.
The county plans to move from AMR to CONFIRE, the Consolidated Fire Agencies, at midnight as Sept. 30 turns into Oct. 1. A hearing on the request was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Rancho Cucamonga.
AMR argues the change creates a serious risk of irreparable harm to the company, its employees, and the residents who depend on 911 ambulance service.
Why AMR Says Response Times Could Suffer
In its filing, AMR warned that transitions in emergency medical services can lengthen ambulance response times. The company also said slower response paired with inadequate staffing during a mass casualty incident could be catastrophic.
For anyone hurt in a serious car accident in San Bernardino County, every minute matters. Faster arrival of paramedics can affect how quickly bleeding is controlled, how soon a patient is stabilized, and how fast they reach a trauma center.
What the County and CONFIRE Are Saying
County officials dispute that patient care will be disrupted. A county spokesperson said officials are fully confident in their operational readiness. An administrator with the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA), which oversees the county’s EMS system, said the public should experience a seamless transition.
CONFIRE says patients should expect uninterrupted ambulance service. It has partnered with Priority Ambulance to handle much of its transport work.
The handoff is designed to be nearly invisible. AMR crews are expected to return their vehicles at midnight and board CONFIRE ambulances. Most of AMR’s local workforce is expected to become CONFIRE employees at that moment.
CONFIRE also points to a coordinated dispatch center shared across 15 member fire departments, which officials say helps agencies back each other up during periods of high demand.
A Dispute Years in the Making
The conflict dates to December 2023, when the Board of Supervisors voted to end AMR’s contract and award a five-year ambulance agreement to CONFIRE. AMR had narrowly outscored CONFIRE in the bidding, 1,519 points to 1,515.
AMR sued in early 2024, arguing the county did not follow the required legal process. The original October 2024 start date was delayed, and the litigation is still ongoing. A court lifted an injunction that had been blocking the takeover in May, clearing the way for this week’s deadline.
Ambulance Rates Are Also Set to Jump
Another change lands the same day. The maximum Advanced Life Support emergency base charge is set to rise from $2,681.04 to $4,791.02, an increase of nearly 79%, according to the Daily Bulletin’s reporting.
County officials say those figures are price caps, not what patients and insurers actually pay. Even so, higher ambulance charges can add to the medical bills crash victims already face.
What This Means for Accident Victims in San Bernardino County
If you are injured in a crash, your first priority is getting medical care. Call 911, accept treatment at the scene, and follow up with a doctor even if your injuries seem minor.
Ambulance transport is often one of the first expenses after a collision. Keep every bill and record, because emergency transport costs may be part of a personal injury claim. Delays in care can also make it harder to connect injuries to the crash, so document how long help took to arrive.
Injured in a Crash in the Inland Empire? Talk to Attorney Jeff
Whatever happens in court, accident victims in San Bernardino County still have rights. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash in Rancho Cucamonga, Hesperia, Victorville, or elsewhere in the High Desert and Inland Empire, the award-winning personal injury attorneys from Attorney Jeff Car can explain your legal options.
Contact our law offices in San Bernardino County for a free consultation to learn more about our services and how we plan to get you the maximum compensation.
About the Author
JEFFREY FAYNGOR, ESQ.
Jeffrey Fayngor is the founder of Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer and an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to representing accident victims. He earned his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and has recovered over $120 million for injured clients. He has built his practice around helping injury victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.