West Des Moines Emergency Medical Services

02/25/2025

Want to see what West Des Moines EMS is all about? Come join us for this year’s Citizens Academy!

12/06/2024

Congratulations to Lt. Luis Martinez on his 5 year anniversary with the department!

11/21/2024

Spread the word -

We're hiring!

Short window for applications - so get'em in!

Here's the link to apply: https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1841/1340

11/21/2024

The City of West Des Moines is accepting applications for a Full-Time Paramedic position with a starting annual salary of $69,214. The deadline to apply is November 29, 2024.

*12 hr shifts on a Pitman schedule
*Generous time off package
*Tons of internal training
*Supportive environment and active Peer Support Team

https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1841/1340

11/05/2024

Share your insight with West Des Moines Parks & Recreation / Aquatic Centers.

🎃 Trick-or-Treating Survey for 2025 🎃

Beggars' Night is the designated evening for trick-or-treating near Halloween, traditionally held on October 30 from 6 to 8 pm. In recent years, some Des Moines metro communities have considered moving this event to the Saturday before Halloween to avoid having kids out on a school night, while others have opted to hold it on Halloween, October 31. This survey aims to assess interest in moving trick-or-treating away from Beggars' Night. Many metro communities prefer to align their celebrations with neighboring areas, and this survey will help facilitate coordination for 2025.

Please share your preference by completing the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/BeggarsNight2025.

Curious about the origins of Beggars' Night in the Des Moines metro? Read the full history here: tinyurl.com/WDMBeggarsNight.

10/14/2024

Division Chief Carolyn Johnson has had a busy fall! Not only does October mark her 10th year with the department, but she also graduated from NAEMT's Lighthouse Leadership Program (LLP) in September! DC Johnson is one of very few LLP graduates in the entire Country. She is a GREAT example of leadership in EMS, and we are happy to have her in West Des Moines!

09/24/2024

Athletic season is in full swing! West Des Moines EMS took the opportunity to train with some of our local medical partners at sporting events: Athletic Trainers. We all took to the field to learn about each other’s roles and how to bring our skills together for the best patient outcomes. Those trainers make spinal motion restriction look easy!! We had a great time! Thank you to Select Physical Therapy Athletic Training Services, Dowling Catholic High School, Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy, and Drake University. We are already looking forward to our next training together.

09/21/2024

Our crews are at it again- standing by at the Valley vs Waukee game. It’s the battle of 60th street! What do you do when your city covers both school districts?! Go Teams!!

Who are you cheering for tonight?

09/16/2024

Congratulations to Paramedic Nicholas Alger on being promoted to Lieutenant! Lt. Alger started with the department in October 2021.

09/09/2024

Congratulations to Assistant Chief Mark McCulloch for 20 years of dedicated service! Being there to help people through their difficult times has been a great honor for Mark.

09/05/2024

🚴‍♂️🚑 Our Bike Medic Special Events Team was on-site today, providing fast and efficient medical coverage for a private event at a local employer. 🚨 Whether it's a large gathering or an intimate corporate event, our highly trained medics ensure everyone's safety, quickly responding to any emergencies with the flexibility and mobility that only bike medics can offer. We're proud to partner with local businesses to keep their events running smoothly and safely! 🙌

08/29/2024

Congratulations to Nicholas Boren on earning his Paramedic!

08/29/2024

Congratulations to Paramedic Kayla Duver on being promoted to Lieutenant! Lt. Duver started with the department in March 2021.

07/28/2024

06/29/2024

A194 on Event Standby this evening at Valley Stadium for the DSM Menace vs Riverlight game! Go Menace!!

06/18/2024

Paramedic Pete and EMS staff spent the morning speaking to campers about summertime safety at a local summer camp.

06/14/2024

Come join our team!

Visit the Human Resources page for more information on applying for a job, Civil Service exams, compensation, benefits and employment FAQs.

05/24/2024

How do we move our patients and safely transport them to the hospital?

Each ambulance has a power cot that raises and lowers on its own. No manual labor is needed to go up and down, which is a considerable advantage. To go along with each cot is called the power load system. This system will load the cot into the ambulance with a button push. Not only does it load the cot into the ambulance and aid in removing the cot, but it secures the cot to the ambulance while it is moving. The cot and the power load system aid in injury prevention of crew members.

Each cot is equipped with an electronic scale. These scales are one of our newest additions! It takes the guessing game out of a patient's weight, which is essential when administering medications based on their weight.

Lastly, to ensure our tiniest patients can be safely transported to the hospital, we have car seat-type devices that fit onto our cots. With these devices, we can secure patients who weigh as little as 5 pounds safely.