Area Ambulance has served Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area since 1971 when it came together as a result of an agreement between the City of Cedar Rapids and both Cedar Rapids hospitals.  Area Ambulance became one of the first agencies in Linn County to provide a Paramedic level of pre-hospital care in the late 1970’s.  For many years, the paramedics were stationed at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids and traveled to several outlying areas in Linn and Johnson Counties to assist their first responders with providing pre-hospital care.  It was Area Ambulance Service paramedics that flew with the original Lifeguard helicopter until 1985 when St. Luke’s took over its operation.  Area Ambulance has also been a key player in paramedic training, providing an opportunity for students from Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa emergency services programs with in-field experience.  Today, Area Ambulance Service continues to grow and be a major force in providing quality pre-hospital emergency health care. 

Following is a list of some of the skills Area Ambulance Service Paramedics are able to provide when needed:

·        Basic and advanced patient assessment

·        IV fluid administration

·        Medication administration via IV, IO, IM, SQ, PO, SL routes

·        12 lead cardiac monitoring with wireless transfer to hospitals

·        Defibrillation, cardioversion

·        External cardiac pacing

·        Endotracheal intubation

·        Chest decompression

·        Cricothyrotomy

·        Nebulizer treatments

·        Oxygen

·        Vital signs

·        Splinting and stabilization

·        CPAP