October 8, 2025 - On Tuesday, the Merced County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with American Medical Response West (AMR) to provide countywide ambulance services.

The decision follows an extensive and transparent selection process designed to ensure that residents receive the highest level of ambulance service.

Having a high-performing and consistently reliable ambulance provider is one of Merced County’s top community priorities. Emergency medical response plays a critical role in protecting public health and safety, and the County is committed to ensuring that residents receive responsive, dependable service when seconds count.

To achieve that goal, Merced County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) earlier this year for ambulance service operations throughout the County. RFPs are a standard practice among public agencies, providing an open and competitive process that ensures taxpayers receive the best possible service.

To maintain fairness and impartiality, the RFP process was managed by an independent outside firm and included extensive engagement with local stakeholders. The process allowed for a comprehensive review of provider qualifications, response times, equipment standards, staffing levels, and service reliability.

Following a thorough and objective evaluation conducted by third-party subject matter experts, AMR was identified as the highest-scoring proposer. AMR, which currently provides emergency medical transportation in communities across California and nationwide, has a proven record of performance and innovation in emergency medical services. The selection was based on the provider’s qualifications, experience, and service capacity.

“The health and safety of our residents is at the heart of every decision we make,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Josh Pedrozo. “This agreement reflects our commitment to providing timely, dependable emergency care across Merced County.”

"The action taken by the Board of Supervisors today exemplifies the County's commitment to being the highest performing County in California in all of our respective business lines," said County Executive Officer Mark J. Hendrickson.

The new contract with AMR will begin on January 1, 2026, with no interruption in service anticipated during the transition. Over the coming months, County staff will work closely with AMR and existing partners to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of operations.

Source: Merced County