New Basic Life Support ambulance on the road in Santee

East County News Service

April 2, 2026 (Santee) -- The Santee Fire Department and the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority have expanded their emergency fleet with the official April 1 start of BLS 5, a new Basic Life Support ambulance.

The unit’s inaugural shift began yesterday morning when EMT Chris Brooks radioed dispatch, placing the vehicle into active service for the region.

BLS 5 marks the third Basic Life Support unit for SLEMSA, the joint authority that manages prehospital care for both Santee and Lakeside.

The addition is part of a strategic tiered response model designed to ensure that the city's four Advanced Life Support units remain available for the most life-threatening emergencies. By having BLS units for non-life-threatening calls, the department is able to better manage the high volume of medical requests.

The distinction between ambulance types determines the level of clinical intervention.

Basic Life Support has two emergency medical tecnicians who can do wound care, oxygen, give basic medications and  transport, with a focus on stabilizing those in their care and transporting them for futher help. 

Advanced Life Support includes at least one Firefighter/Paramedic who can do cardiac monitoring, IV starts and intubation, and whose focus are invasive, life-saving medical interventions.

“Putting BLS 5 into service is another important investment in public safety and emergency medical services for our community,” said Kyle Moyneur, Deputy Fire Chief of the Santee Fire Department.

The rollout of BLS 5 coincides with a successful surge in local recruitment. The Santee Fire Department recently welcomed 11 newly trained EMTs to its ranks.

“These new EMTs represent the future of emergency medical services in Santee,” said Battalion Chief David Leask. “Their commitment and training, combined with the addition of BLS 5, strengthens our ability to serve residents when they need us most.”

The Santee Fire Department operates out of two primary stations -- Station 4 (at Cottonwood Avenue) and Station 5 (Carlton Hills Boulevard) — serving about 60,000 residents.