November 18, 2025, marked the six-year anniversary of the launch of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD) Advanced Provider Response Unit (APRU) program. The APRU program was designed to target patients with low to medium acuity, manage their acute medical needs in the field, and redirect them to appropriate levels of care and follow-up.
Over the years, this mission has evolved to include complex patient navigation and triaging patients for alternate destinations. The APRU program provides efficient patient care, improved paramedic squad and ambulance availability, lower healthcare costs, reduced emergency department saturation, and a better patient experience.
Since its inception, the APRU program has responded to more than 30,000 emergency medical services calls for service and rerouted more than 10,750 patients. The program has been funded by grants from the Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission Productivity Investment Fund, Measure B, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Opioid Settlement Fund totaling more than $12.2 million.
The APRU program has been recognized with awards from the Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission, and the National Association of Counties. In 2026, the APRU program, which began with a single unit in Lancaster, will grow to five units.
On behalf of the LACoFD, we commend all involved in bringing the APRU program to fruition and for the continued support to grow this vital program that has positively impacted Los Angeles County residents and communities.
