Courtesy photo.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) placed a new rescue ambulance into service today at Fire Station 42 in Moorpark, enhancing the city’s emergency medical response and adding capacity during high-demand incidents.
The new unit, designated Rescue Ambulance 42 (RA42), increases the number of medical transport resources available in the region and brings two additional firefighter-paramedics to the city each day. These added personnel will help deliver faster, more flexible service to residents during life-threatening emergencies.
RA42 is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, including whole blood for emergency transfusions, the LUCAS mechanical CPR device, and advanced Stryker gurneys—tools that support paramedics in delivering critical, pre-hospital care in the field.
“Every second counts during a medical emergency,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “This new rescue ambulance in Moorpark gives our firefighter-paramedics another tool to quickly begin advanced care and transport patients to the hospital without delay—especially during times of high system demand.”
“Moorpark is proud to be among California’s safest cities, and being safe during a medical emergency is a key part of that,” Moorpark Mayor Chris Enegren said. “We applaud the Ventura County Fire Department for being both proactive and responsive to the community’s needs.”
RA42 is part of VCFD’s strategy to strengthen the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system by providing backup transport capability when traditional ambulance resources are delayed or unavailable due to multiple calls for service.
“Our mission is clear—no one should ever have to wait for critical care,” said Chief Gardner. “By adding this rescue ambulance in Moorpark, we’re not only strengthening emergency response in the city but also providing added support to neighboring communities like Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. This move enhances patient care and reaffirms our commitment to the health and safety of the region.”
For more information, please contact the VCFD Public Information Office at (805) 389-9769 or visit vcfd.org.