PRESS RELEASE

Diamond Springs, Cal., March 25, 2023 – An ambulance in Diamond Springs is officially back in service following an eight month absence. Six Paramedic Ambulance Operators were also sworn in during a joint badge pinning and ribbon cutting ceremony recognizing the ambulance’s grand reopening.

Medic 49 began responding to calls again on March 15 and is being staffed by El Dorado County Fire Protection District personnel. To maintain good area coverage, the medic unit is being housed daily at Diamond Springs El Dorado Fire Protection District’s Station 49 in Diamond Springs. Reopening Medic 49 attests to the cooperation and teamwork of both Fire District to provide essential emergency medical services. Medic 49 joins seven other medic units in providing 24-hour emergency response throughout El Dorado County’s western slope as part of the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority (JPA).

Paramedics Fallon Braithwaite, Brian Duffy, Taylor Ferguson, Bradley Gates, Aaron Fields, and Kyle Lopez received their badges and were sworn in by Fire Chief Tim Cordero. Also attending were Diamond Springs – El Dorado Fire Protection District Chief Matt Gallagher, El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority Executive Director Cristy Jorgensen, El Dorado County Professional Firefighters Association President Jacob Poganski, Diamond Springs – El Dorado Professional Firefighters Association President Jack Daniels, El Dorado County Supervisors Wendy Thomas and Lori Parlin who provided remarks. Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Director John Tayaba attended and provided a traditional blessing for the paramedics and the medic unit. The ribbon was cut by El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority Executive Director Cristy Jorgensen.

A special thank you to Red Hawk Casino for providing refreshments for this event!

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