PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 25, 2002) – The pioneer of public-private partnerships in EMS and one of the country's most successful providers of medical transport service is starting a new ambulance company here in the Valley…again.

Bob Ramsey, who grew Southwest Ambulance from one ambulance in Phoenix in 1982 to the largest ambulance company in the Southwest before merging with Rural-Metro in 1997, is applying to the State of Arizona to operate American LifeStar Ambulance.

Ramsey is currently an owner in Southwest Ambulance of Las Vegas, Nevada, that handles about half of that area's ambulance transports. He says within 60 days he plans to file with the Arizona Department of Health Services a request to provide general ambulance transport throughout Maricopa County.

"Ambulances are being delayed at over-crowded emergency rooms throughout Maricopa County and problems with response times are increasing", Ramsey said. "The areas continuing population explosion mandates more ambulance response. Hundreds of newcomers are moving into Arizona each day. We've been doing extensive research and see a need for a more patient-focused service delivery model. This will be a new level of medical transportation for Arizonians."

Ramsey said that he intends to use the advice and vision of other leaders in the Valley-including Phoenix fire Chief Alan Brunacini's widely-praised book on customer service-as blueprints for providing service to the citizens of Maricopa County.

"But customer service is both internal and external. We feel that as long as our people are trained extensively, dedicated to caring for others and proud to be a part of our company, we can pretty well assure that they'll provide superior service," Ramsey explained.

To that extent, Ramsey is creating the nation's first 20-year pension plan for ambulance employees. Modeled after Arizona's Public Safety Retirement System, that provides a 20-year retirement for firefighters and police officers, Ramsey intends to create an independent pension system for ambulance personnel to provide them with a secure retirement.

Ramsey said his new company will be more holistic in nature than other ambulance companies, providing a variety of services to address the issues of overcrowded hospitals, emergency rooms, behavior health and specialized destinations.

" For the past several years, we've studied the trends of emergency medical services and they clearly are moving toward a more holistic approach. We plan to take this industry to a new level of integrated partnerships with medical providers as well as fire departments across the Valley, all the time focusing on the person not just procedure, " Ramsey said.

When told that Ramsey was reentering the industry here, Phoenix Fire Chief Brunacini said, "Bob Ramsey is considered the father of modern ambulance service in Arizona and the market clearly will benefit from his expertise. When he was running Southwest ambulance, the Phoenix fire department had a partner that we knew would always provide the same level of service as our Phoenix firefighters. As someone I have known and trusted for over 25 years I say, welcome back".

"Bob Ramsey brings vision and a renewed passion for the restructuring and improving the current system," said Reginald M. Ballantyne III, past chairman of the American Hospital Association and currently corporate officer and senior vice president of Vanguard Health Systems. "Healthcare generally, and emergency medical services specifically, are under enormous stress. System fractures are increasing. Given the need for experience and innovation I am pleased to learn that Bob is returning to the world of EMS. He is a compassionate healthcare executive and I am delighted he is back," Ballantyne said.

When Ramsey merged with Rural Metro, Southwest Ambulance was considered one of the most successful ambulance operations anywhere in the country. "We see American LifeStar as a unique ambulance and medical transport service that joins with other providers to meet the varied needs of patients in this flourishing market," Ramsey said.

American LifeStar is located at 2398 E. Camelback Rd. Phone is 602-955-8383.