The Santa Maria Fire Department (SMFD) delivers emergency medical services (EMS) to the community via three fire stations and advanced life support (ALS) by private ambulance. The problem presented in this research paper was the City of Santa Maria Fire Department is evaluating the need to increase its level of emergency medical services (EMS) from basic life support (BLS) to advanced life support (ALS). The purpose of the research was to conduct an evaluation and recommend necessary policy and service-delivery changes for the City of Santa Maria. The research questions asked were: 1. Is the existing fire-based basic life support EMS used by the Santa Maria Fire Department adequate given the increasing demands placed on the system? 2. Does historical data support the need to upgrade to ALS services for the City of Santa Maria? 3.What would be the associated costs for upgrading to ALS service levels in the city of Santa Maria? 4. Do the members of the Santa Maria Fire Department support changing the service delivery from basic life support to advanced life support? Evaluative and historical research was conducted. Survey instruments were sent to fire department members and also to the city of Santa Maria citizens. Analysis of EMS responses by the Santa Maria Fire Department was conducted. Results indicated that the Santa Maria Fire Department could provide a higher level of service to the community in a faster response time and for less cost than currently provided overall. Recommendations included (a) providing EMT-P (paramedic) level of service to the community, (b) hiring additional staff for paramedic engine companies, and (c) purchasing ambulances for transportation of victims.