BEND, Ore. — Bend Fire & Rescue has placed a new advanced life support (ALS) ambulance into service, marking a significant step in the department’s efforts to enhance emergency response capabilities. The new ambulance is part of a four-vehicle fleet that serves the city of Bend and the surrounding rural areas, covering a service area of 1,450 square miles.

The addition of this ambulance comes at a critical time for the department, which faced a record-breaking number of calls in 2024. Last year, Bend Fire & Rescue responded to nearly 14,000 calls for service, 75% of which were medical-related emergencies. The surge in call volume has prompted the department to seek additional resources to ensure timely responses.

“We had the busiest year in our department’s history last year,” said Fire Chief Todd Riley. “With more calls and more critical medical emergencies, it’s vital that we have the resources available to respond quickly. When crews are tied up on other calls, it can delay response times, which is something we are constantly working to minimize.”

The new ALS ambulance is expected to improve response times and enhance the department’s ability to provide advanced medical care during emergencies. Bend Fire & Rescue officials hope that the addition will help maintain efficiency and meet the growing demands of the community.

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler echoed Chief Riley’s sentiments, calling the addition of the new ambulance a milestone for the city. “This is an important day for our community,” Mayor Kebler said. “The new ambulance ensures that our first responders are equipped with the tools they need to provide critical care and save lives.”

As Bend continues to grow, the increased call volume has underscored the need for continued investment in emergency services. The new ambulance is just one part of Bend Fire & Rescue’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize its fleet to meet the evolving needs of the community.