ABOUT US

Mission Responding to Richmond

Who We Are 

In 1990 the Richmond City Council and the City Manager recognized they needed to make drastic changes to the City’s EMS system in order to ensure all City residents received the best and most effective care. On March 20, 1991, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Richmond Ambulance Authority Act and on September 23, 1991, the City of Richmond granted the franchise to Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) to provide EMS to the City. Since then, RAA has gained national and international recognition for its approach to EMS as a Mobile Integrated Healthcare provider. Unlike traditional Fire and EMS systems, RAA makes data-driven decisions. Using data, RAA can strategically deploy ambulances throughout the city and predict where a call is most likely to come from. This approach allows the agency to dispatch ambulances based on demand instead of having level staffing across an entire day. As a result, Richmond has one of the most advanced EMS systems in the United States. RAA is one of the busiest EMS systems, per capita, in the nation. Responding to over 50,000 calls annually, RAA has been recognized as operating within the top 25% of EMS agencies nationwide.

Mission

To deliver patient-centered care through measurable clinical and operational excellence with efficiency, outstanding customer service, and employee engagement.

Vision

RAA is an industry leader providing World Class mobile integrated healthcare.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACCREDITATION AND AWARDS

Accreditation

RAA is the only ambulance service in Virginia and only one of 29 systems in the United States that has received accreditation from both the National Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) and the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). These accreditations are considered the “gold standard” for ambulance services, certifying distinction for quality patient care and ambulance operations.

Awards

2023 Old Dominion Regional Alliance EMS Awards:

In 2023, Richmond Ambulance Authority staff were recognized by the Old Dominion Regional Alliance EMS Awards in two categories, “Innovation Excellence in EMS” and “Emergency Preparedness and Response.” 

2020 Governor’s Award for Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS:

In 2020, the Richmond Ambulance Authority’s Operational Medical Director received statewide recognition winning the Governor’s EMS Award for Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS. The annual Governor’s EMS Awards Program began in 1986 and has been endorsed by each Governor to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, agencies and community organizations and businesses that provide or help support emergency medical care in Virginia.

2016 Governor’s Award for Outstanding EMS Agency:

In 2016, the Richmond Ambulance Authority received statewide recognition winning the Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Agency. The annual Governor’s EMS Awards Program began in 1986 and has been endorsed by each Governor to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, agencies and community organizations and businesses that provide or help support emergency medical care in Virginia.

Mission: Lifeline Gold Award:

Awarded by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Recognizes agencies for demonstrating continued success using the Mission Lifeline program in applying the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the community.

Old Dominion Virginia Healthcare Innovators: Patient Care: 1-250 Employees:  

Recognizes Virginia organizations that have developed innovative ways to improve healthcare quality and efficiency.

Dick Ferneau Career Agency of the Year:  

Awarded by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). This nationally coveted award recognized the hard work and dedication of all staff who enable RAA to delivery world-class EMS each and every day to the citizens of Richmond.  RAA was also recognized for its programs and campaign in life-saving, EMS education and injury prevention.

Virginia Municipal League (VML) Risk Management Performance Award:

RAA recognized for our Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) and the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect IT and business infrastructure.

Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) Spirit of Advocacy Award:

Award recognizes individuals and community partners who not only advocate for the healthcare and educational needs of children, but who are also champions for the cause.  RAA was specifically nominated for partnering to serve both adult & pediatric critical care transports, RAA’s school supplies giveaway to City of Richmond kids, its child safety seat course, as well as RAA’s participation at the annual summer safety fair (in Chimborazo Park) providing tours of our ambulance and prevention information.

ANNUAL REPORTS

OPERATIONAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Joseph Ornato
Dr. Joseph Ornato
Dr. Joseph Ornato is Operational Medical Director of the Richmond Ambulance Authority. Dr. Ornato is triple board certified (internal medicine, cardiology, emergency medicine) and is an active researcher in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Dr. Ornato is an editor of the journal Resuscitation. He is past Chairman of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) National Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and its Advanced Cardiac Life Support Subcommittee. He chaired the National Steering Committee on the NIH Public Access Defibrillation Trial. He is currently consultant and cardiac co-chairman of the NIH Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) and serves as principal investigator for VCU on the NIH-sponsored Neurological Emergency Treatment Trials (NETT) Network. Dr. Ornato is also a member of the Institute of Medicine.

STATISTICS

RAA is one of the busiest EMS systems, per capita, in the country.

Demographics

Central Virginia

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Sq. Miles
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Population
Patient Satisfaction in Emergency Responses (Based on 3rd Party Survey conducted by Baldrige Group Consulting) 98%
Patient Survey Engagement 80%

Committed to Excellence

(2023 Statistics)

Today, Richmond has one of the most advanced EMS systems in the United States despite being one of the busiest EMS systems, per capita, in the nation. RAA responds to over 50,000 calls annually.

Emergency Non-Emergency Total
Responses 46,717 7,415 54,132
Transports 31,893 7,228 39,121

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Patient Satisfaction in Emergency Responses (Based on 3rd Party Survey conducted by Baldrige Group Consulting)
0%
Patient Survey Engagement
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Total System Expenditures
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City of Richmond Subsidy
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Households Enrolled in LifeSaver Subscription Program

Office Line

804.254.1150

Emergency

911

Fax

804.254.1103

Office Line

804.254.1150

Emergency

911

Fax

804.254.1103