Los Banos, CA (February 19, 2026) — Merced County and its new ambulance service provider, American Medical Response (AMR), will host a series of public “meet and greet” events across the county in the coming weeks with events in Los Banos, Hilmar and Atwater. The events are designed to introduce AMR to residents, provide information about local emergency medical services, and allow community members to ask questions directly to county officials and ambulance staff.
AMR officially assumed responsibility for providing 911 ambulance services in Merced County earlier this year following the county’s selection of a new exclusive operating area (EOA) provider. The transition marked a significant change in emergency medical services delivery, as AMR replaced the county’s previous ambulance contractor after the expiration of its agreement. County officials previously stated that the selection process included a competitive bid and evaluation process intended to assess response times, staffing levels, operational capacity, and long-term service stability.
American Medical Response is a national ambulance provider operating in multiple states, offering 911 emergency response, interfacility transport, and event medical services. Company representatives have indicated that their focus in Merced County includes meeting state-mandated response time requirements, maintaining paramedic staffing levels, and integrating with local fire agencies and hospitals.
During the upcoming events, Merced County and AMR representatives will provide a brief presentation outlining how emergency medical services are structured locally, what residents can expect under the new contract, and how the transition has progressed. An ambulance will also be on display for public viewing.
Community members are invited to attend the following events:
- February 26, 2026 – 6 p.m.
Germino Building – Los Banos - March 3, 2026 – 6 p.m.
Hilmar Community Center - March 10, 2026 – 6 p.m.
Atwater Memorial Building
County officials say the goal of the meetings is to promote transparency and community engagement as the new ambulance system continues to roll out across Merced County.
Residents seeking additional information can contact Merced County Public Health or monitor county communication channels for updates.
