Here is a photo of a Buick Ambulance parked on 30th Street in 1961. Prior to 1970, the San Diego Police Department performed basic emergency medical transportation in converted station wagons equipped with minimal medical supplies. The service was little more than loading the patient and driving as fast as possible to the hospital for medical attention. In 1997, the Fire-Rescue Department collaborated with Rural/Metro of San Diego to form the nation's first public-private partnership to provide 9-1-1 service.