West Des Moines EMS is a municipal emergency medical services company that serves the people of West Des Moines. We cover an area that is approximately 48.1 square miles, responding to the needs of around 68,000 citizens. We are a third service organization. WDM Fire and Police provide first response to calls within our territory.

In 2017, we responded to 8908. There was a increase in call volume from 2017-2018, with a total of 9531 calls. In 2019, we had 10215 calls for the year and then another large increase in 2020 with 11026 calls. 2021, came as a big year for EMS with a call volume of 13,352 calls. Every year our call volume rises and we always meet the needs of our community. 

We are made up of a staff of approximately 70 personnel, full-time and part-time. We have eleven ambulances. Three full-time city ambulances respond to 911 calls 24/7. Two full-time ambulances transport patients for Unity Point Hospitals 24/7. We have 2 additional ambulance that operates weekdays and weekends during the day and evening, performing hospital transports and city operations. They are called flex trucks due to there ability to help both the hospital and city. We have three backup ambulances for the department. The backup trucks are used for special events, extra hospital trips, and when ambulances need to go in for maintenance. We also have a specialty ambulance that serves our pediatric and neonate populations. This ambulance is built on a Ford F550 crew cab chassis. 

West Des Moines EMS takes great pride in being a progressive service. We offer many things to our patients that help bring our service a step above the rest. A few of the things we offer are high flow oxygen and Bipap therapy to patients that are having respiratory problems. This is done by using a transport ventilator. If you are looking for more information on the equipment we use check out the section of this website labeled "equipment".   

All full-time paramedics are required to be trained at the CCP level within 12 months of being hired.