HILL AIR FORCE BASE — A new ambulance service on Hill Air Force Base is improving response times for emergency services to the 25,000 people who live and work on the installation.

With an average of 350 medical emergencies every year, ranging from trauma injuries to life-threatening events, the 75th Medical Group saw a need to reduce the roughly 20-minute transport time to a hospital off-base.

Hill Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services is now equipped with three ambulances. Two operate out of Fire Station No. 1 and the third out of Fire Station No.5.

“The base can now expect an ambulance to arrive on scene in around seven minutes or less,” Hill FES Fire Chief Javie Blanco said.

Blanco says the services provided by civilian ambulances were outstanding but pricey, potentially costing over $1.5 million per year.

According to a press release, a significant amount of tax dollars will be saved by the base providing its own ambulance transport service.

FES and the 75th Medical Group spent more than two years collecting data, establishing training protocols and coordinating with the Air Force surgeon general to bring the service to Hill.

“The goal has always been to better serve the Hill Air Force Base populace and families,” Blanco said.

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