AMR Riverside County

Yesterday, a few of our AMR Desert Cities employees were recognized as part of EMS Week by John F Kennedy Hospital in Indio. From AMR, this included:

Recognized for Outstanding Performance:
Steve Meyer – Paramedic
Joseph Rivas – Paramedic

Recognized for Outstanding Reports:
Trevor Klemens – Paramedic
Gonzalo Navarrete – Paramedic

A little bit more about the event: The Desert Care Network has launched a two-day series of appreciation ceremonies across the Coachella Valley to mark National EMS Week, officially recognizing the extraordinary, split-second actions of local emergency medical crews whose life-saving efforts directly altered the outcomes of critical medical crises this year. The regional hospital network is utilizing the annual celebration to highlight the seamless collaboration required between field paramedics, flight crews, and emergency room clinicians to pull patients back from the brink of tragedy. Ceremonies placed a centralized spotlight on multi-agency teams, including specialized rescue personnel from CAL FIRE, American Medical Response, the Palm Springs Fire Department, Mercy Air, and Reach Air Medical Services.

https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2026/05/20/desert-care-network-honors-coachella-valley-first-responders-for-national-ems-week

Congrats and great work!

We are proud of the relationships we have established and the incredible partnership we have with the compassionate professionals at Riverside Community Hospital. Thanks for the shoutout this !

To all of the moms out there, thank you for everything you do!

On March 18, Lisa La Russo was honored at the Anaheim Ducks NHL game as an outstanding community member. She joined the Ducks’ Hall of Heroes for her work in keeping the community safe – both in her nonprofit focused on pediatric water safety, as well as serving as an AMR paramedic here in Riverside County.

Congratulations, Lisa! 🥳

From our Clinical Specialist, Alex, since we couldn't have said it better ourselves:

"Yesterday, Riverside unit 3360 delivered a healthy baby boy in the back of their ambulance while en route to the hospital. Mom went into active labor, and the crew quickly transitioned to managing an out-of-hospital birth with professionalism and composure.

Mom and baby are doing well — an incredible outcome and a moment that will not be forgotten.

A huge congratulations to Paramedic Macintyre Griggs and EMT Nicole Stark for their outstanding patient care and calm ex*****on under pressure. You made a life-changing difference for a family this week!"

AMR Riverside County Paramedic Cody Schock had the opportunity to participate in community outreach through the Healthcare Explorers Program at Temecula Valley Hospital. He spent the evening engaging with students and scouts, sharing insight into Emergency Medical Services and his firsthand experience as a Paramedic.

The program serves youth ages 14 to 18 and provides valuable exposure to health care careers and public service. Through this outreach, Cody helped inspire the next generation of first responders by answering questions, discussing EMS school opportunities, and reinforcing the importance of community involvement and service within healthcare professions.

The latest edition of EMSA Dispatch is now available on our homepage:
https://bit.ly/4rAodxd

In this issue:

** Director Basnett on Navigating Uncertainty

** L.A. Wildfires – One Year Later

** EMSA Partners with CDCR to Provide Hospital Beds for Patient Care

** Save the Date: EMS Awards – June 2, 2026

** And more!

EMSA Dispatch is our quarterly newsletter offering the best of California EMS news, stories, and insights.

Email [email protected] to subscribe!

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the AMR Riverside team!

After receiving a generous toy donation, AMR Riverside Supervisors Kris Manzano and Jonathan Klitgaard, along with a BLS crew, swung by Riverside Metro Auto Group last week and dropped off the toys to support the CHP - Riverside's CHiPs for Kids event, that concluded on Dec. 21 with a large giveaway for Riverside families. A wonderful community event — thank you to all who supported!