Press Release: Fullerton Launches City-Operated Ambulance Program

Date: February 2, 2026

Contact: Kim Chaudhry

Senior Administrative Analyst

[email protected]

(714) 738-6317

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fire Department's New Ambulance Program Enhances Emergency

Medical Services for Fullerton Community

FULLERTON, CA (February 2, 2026) - The City of Fullerton is proud to announce the launch of its city-operated ambulance service, marking a significant milestone in the Fire Department's delivery of comprehensive emergency medical care.

While the City has always been the official provider of emergency medical services, ambulance transport operations were previously handled through a contracted third-party service. Now, Fullerton Fire Department personnel will directly handle the entire emergency response from initial patient contact and medical treatment through hospital transport.

"This transition gives us direct oversight of every aspect of patient care," said Fire Chief Adam Loeser. "From the moment someone calls 9-1-1 to their arrival at the hospital, our team will accompany the patient every step of the way. This level of integration puts us in position to deliver the fastest response times while providing seamless, compassionate care to patients and their families."

The City has hired 32 dedicated Ambulance Operators to staff an initial deployment of refurbished ambulances, ensuring immediate service while awaiting delivery of seven new custom ambulance units over the coming months. The new fleet will be specifically configured to meet Fullerton's operational needs and service demands.

The city-operated model creates a career pathway to firefighting for emergency medical professionals and ensures that financial resources are allocated more efficiently to serve Fullerton residents. By bringing operations under direct city management, the Fire Department also gains flexibility to tailor staffing, equipment, and training protocols to local needs.

"This reflects our commitment to providing the highest level of public safety in a fiscally responsible manner," said Mayor Fred Jung. "Our residents deserve the highest quality emergency response, and we are investing in a program that meets our consistently high Fullerton standards with full accountability to our community."

Residents will experience no service disruption during the transition. The Fullerton Fire Department will continue coordinating with private ambulance providers and neighboring jurisdictions to maintain comprehensive emergency coverage citywide.

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