EMSA
EMSA is a public trust authority operating 911 ambulance and Advanced Life Support services across Tulsa and Oklahoma City under municipal contracts, supported by in-house training pipelines (EMSA Advantage, in-house paramedic program) and a new SimTEP simulation-based clinical education platform launched in 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersTulsa, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What EMSA does
EMSA (Emergency Medical Services Authority) is a public trust governmental authority that provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance transport across two Oklahoma metropolitan areas. Established in 1977 in Tulsa and joined by Oklahoma City in 1990, EMSA operates two divisions (Eastern Division in Tulsa and Western Division in Oklahoma City) under an 11-member Board of Trustees, with eight trustees appointed by the mayors of the two host cities. The organization holds CAAS accreditation and is described as ranking in the top 1% of EMS agencies in the United States.
The core service is Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance response and transport, delivered through a fleet equipped with ECMO units, bariatric units, power load cots, LifePak 15 cardiac monitors, EleGARD CPR feedback devices, and ruggedized Toughbook laptops for in-field documentation. EMSA also operates a 911 dispatch/communications function staffed by Systems Support Coordinators (SSCs). Around this operational core, EMSA has built a vertically integrated talent and clinical education stack: the EMSA Advantage paid EMT training program (in partnership with Oklahoma State University), an in-house paramedic program, an in-house CEU program, and the September 2024-launched SimTEP simulation-based clinical education program featuring a 360-degree immersive screen from WorldViz and high-fidelity manikins from Gaumard. Specialty response teams (Honor Guard, Bike Team, Tactical/SOT, ERU) and a PEER Support / Chaplain service round out the offering.
The business model is a managed-services public utility: revenue is sourced from municipal contracts with the City of Tulsa and the City of Oklahoma City rather than from direct patient billing as the primary funding mechanism. In December 2020, EMSA completed a major structural shift, terminating a 40+ year contract with American Medical Response and bringing operations entirely in-house under 100% local leadership in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Recruitment is conducted through a dedicated careers portal (Ultipro-backed joinemsa.com), community events, career fairs, and educational partnerships, with compensation structured around published hourly wage tiers ($15.15–$25.00/hr starting range depending on role), $10,000 retention bonuses for paramedics and dispatchers, and benefits including a 457(b) with employer match.
EMSA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EMSA
- Legal name
- EMSA
- Website
- https://joinemsa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- EMSA is a public trust authority operating 911 ambulance and Advanced Life Support services across Tulsa and Oklahoma City under municipal contracts, supported by in-house training pipelines (EMSA Advantage, in-house paramedic program) and a new SimTEP simulation-based clinical education platform launched in 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EMSA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Emergency Medical Services
- NAICS
- Ambulance Services (62191)
- SIC
- Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 911/Public EMS Agencies (Municipal/County/Fire-Based) (HLAFANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations & Dispatch (HLAJAGAC), Ambulance Fleet, Equipment & Logistics Services (HLAFANAN), EMS Education, Training & Simulation Centers (HLAFANAL), Medical Emergency Response & On-site First Aid/Paramedics (BPABANAG)
Keywords
Where EMSA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tulsa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
EMSA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public Utility EMS Services: EMSA operates as a public trust of the Tulsa and Oklahoma City governments, providing ambulance service funded by municipal/governmental contracts. The Authority's duty is to ensure patients receive emergency medical service at the best possible price.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | EMT starting wage |
| Subscription | Annual | Paramedic starting wage |
| Subscription | Annual | SSC (Dispatch) starting wage |
| Subscription | Annual | Logistics technician starting wage |
| Subscription | Annual | EMSA Advantage trainee wage |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Retention bonus for Paramedics |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Retention bonus for SSC/Dispatchers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
EMSA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EMSA provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance transport services as a public utility authority serving Tulsa (Eastern Division) and Oklahoma City (Western Division). The organization operates Advanced Life Support ambulances equipped with specialized equipment and offers paid EMT and paramedic training programs, including the EMSA Advantage program and SimTEP simulation-based education. Emergency dispatch and 911 call coordination are handled in-house by Systems Support Coordinators (SSCs).
Product overview
EMSA (Emergency Medical Services Authority) is Oklahoma's largest provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care, operating as a public utility ambulance service with two divisions covering Tulsa (Eastern Division) and Oklahoma City (Western Division). The core offering is emergency ambulance transport with Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities. Supporting services include EMSA Advantage (paid EMT training partnered with Oklahoma State University), EMSA Academy (4-week new hire training), in-house paramedic education program, and SimTEP (simulation-based training with immersive technology). Additional offerings include specialty teams (Honor Guard, Bike Team, Tactical Team, ERU) and PEER Support services. The company utilizes state-of-the-art equipment including ECMO units, bariatric units, and power load cots, with one of the youngest ambulance fleets in the industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- EMSA Emergency Ambulance Services Pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance transport services covering Tulsa (Eastern Division) and Oklahoma City (Western Division). Provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) with fully stocked ambulances including ECMO units, bariatric units, and power load cots. Funded as a public utility ambulance service.
- EMSA Advantage Paid EMT training program in partnership with Oklahoma State University that provides certification at no out-of-pocket cost. Participants receive 16 weeks of paid training ($12.75/hr during Phase 1, $17.25/hr during Phase 2) with a guaranteed 18-month full-time employment contract upon completion.
- EMSA SimTEP (Simulation Training for EMS Professionals)
Quantifiable outcome
- EMSA has been the Sooner State's leader in pre-hospital healthcare for more than 40 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use EMSA
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
EMSA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
EMSA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Oklahoma State University (OSU)coreEMSA partnered with Oklahoma State University for the EMSA Advantage program - a paid EMT training program. OSU provides Basic EMT instruction as part of this one-of-a-kind partnership, allowing trainees to get certified with no tuition or out-of-pocket expenses.
- WorldVizcoreWorldViz built the simulation room for EMSA's SimTEP program. The 360-degree immersive simulation screen was designed and installed by WorldViz as part of EMSA's state-of-the-art training facility.
- GaumardcoreGaumard provided high-fidelity interactive manikins for EMSA's SimTEP simulation training program. These manikins replicate various scenarios from pediatric emergencies to chemical burns with realistic hands-on experience.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
EMSA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC): Public utility EMS authority serving Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, NC). Like EMSA, MEDIC operates as a government-established agency providing 911 ambulance service with municipal funding — a structural twin.
- American Medical Response (AMR): National private EMS contractor that previously ran EMSA operations for 40+ years before the 2020 insourcing. Closest direct comparator on service scope (911 ALS, interfacility transport) but operates on a private contractor model.
- Richmond Ambulance Authority: Public utility authority providing EMS to Richmond, VA. Directly comparable public-authority model with municipal governance and CAAS-equivalent accreditation focus.
- Acadian Ambulance Service: Large private EMS provider across the Gulf Coast. Comparable in operating 911 ambulance services with advanced life support, but geographic focus and private ownership differ from EMSA.
- Falck (USA): International private EMS provider with significant US municipal contract operations. Directly comparable delivery model against EMSA's previous AMR-contracted structure.
Others
- Gaumard Scientific: Supplier of EMSA's SimTEP high-fidelity manikins. Adjacent — an enabling technology provider rather than a service competitor, but directly relevant to EMSA's training innovation.
- WorldViz: Built EMSA's immersive 360-degree simulation training room. Adjacent VR/simulation vendor — enables EMSA's SimTEP program but does not compete in EMS service delivery.
Regional players
- Allina Health Emergency Medical Services: Hospital-system-affiliated EMS serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Comparable ALS scope and CAAS-style operations, but integrated with a health system rather than a standalone public utility.
- Gold Cross Ambulance: Regional private EMS provider serving central Indiana with 911 and interfacility transport. Comparable on service mix but private and regional rather than a public utility authority.
- Pinellas County EMS: County-operated public EMS system in Florida running 911 ALS service. Comparable public-sector delivery model; differs in being a county department rather than an independent authority.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EMSA social profiles
Digital presenceEMSA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
EMSA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EMSA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
EMSA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EMSA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EMSA
What does EMSA do?
EMSA provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance transport services as a public utility authority serving Tulsa (Eastern Division) and Oklahoma City (Western Division). The organization operates Advanced Life Support ambulances equipped with specialized equipment and offers paid EMT and paramedic training programs, including the EMSA Advantage program and SimTEP simulation-based education. Emergency dispatch and 911 call coordination are handled in-house by Systems Support Coordinators (SSCs).
Is EMSA a public or private company?
EMSA is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was EMSA founded?
EMSA was founded in 1977. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is EMSA based?
EMSA is headquartered in Tulsa, United States, in the North America region.
How does EMSA make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Utility EMS Services.
Who are EMSA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC), American Medical Response (AMR), Richmond Ambulance Authority, Acadian Ambulance Service and Falck (USA). Others are Gaumard Scientific and WorldViz. Regional players are Allina Health Emergency Medical Services, Gold Cross Ambulance and Pinellas County EMS.
Does EMSA have an API?
No public API is recorded for EMSA.
What industry is EMSA in?
EMSA's product category is Emergency Medical Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFANAA, 911/Public EMS Agencies (Municipal/County/Fire-Based), with a secondary code of HLAJAGAC, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations & Dispatch. Its NAICS code is 62191 and its SIC code is 8090.