A History of service
A Legacy of Care: 50 Years of Service to Humboldt County
City Ambulance of Eureka, Inc. has been a trusted name in emergency medical services for 50 years, but its roots go back even further. Founded in 1958 as City Ambulance Company by William and Joyce Startare, the business began alongside their taxicab company, Henderson Cab. At the time, it was not uncommon for taxi drivers to transition from transporting passengers to responding to emergency calls, seamlessly shifting from cab to ambulance as needed.
In 1971, the Startares sold the business, which was then renamed Eureka Ambulance. However, after Eureka Ambulance shut down in 1975, the Startares independently restarted operations, founding City Ambulance of Eureka, Inc., and marking the beginning of its modern era. Since then, the company has expanded significantly, growing from a small, locally operated ambulance service into one of the largest EMS providers in the region, covering vast, remote, and rugged landscapes.
An article published by the Blue Lake Advocate on September 25, 1958, announces the startup of new ambulance company City Ambulance Service.
Growth, Innovation & Service
From its early days with just four ambulances in Eureka, City Ambulance expanded to serve the southern two-thirds of Humboldt County, northern Mendocino County, and southern Trinity County, working alongside over 32 first responder agencies—many of which are small fire departments with fewer than 10 personnel. With stations in Eureka, Fortuna, Scotia, and Garberville, City Ambulance provides a unique mix of rural and urban emergency care. The company is no stranger to responding to 911 medical emergencies in remote areas, where long travel times, winding roads, and unpredictable terrain are part of daily operations.
In 2021, City Ambulance further expanded its service area to include interfacility transports in Lake County, enhancing care for communities across an even broader region.
City Ambulance has a long history of innovation in emergency medicine:
🚑 1972 – Humboldt County’s first EMT course trained City Ambulance crews.
🚑 1976 – The first EMT-II class in Humboldt County is offered.
🚑 1979 – All City Ambulance units were staffed by EMTs.
🚑 1988 – Major expansion with the acquisition of Fortuna Rescue Ambulance and Garberville Ambulance, growing coverage from 650 square miles to over 3,500—one of the largest ambulance service areas in California, including some of the most challenging rural and mountainous terrain in the state.
🚑 1989 – First paramedics hired, with the first advanced paramedic training completed in 1991.
🚑 1994 – Achieved full Advanced Life Support (ALS) staffing.
Undated photos of City Ambulance vehicles and crew.
A History of Service Through Crisis
Over the decades, City Ambulance has played a crucial role in Humboldt County’s response to natural disasters:
🌊 1992 Cape Mendocino Earthquake – Transported over 100 patients in three days.
🌊 1995 Historic Flooding – Assisted in evacuations and used helicopters to reach patients stranded on islands inaccessible by ambulance.
🔥 1996 Wildfires – Crews worked around the clock evacuating rural areas and medical facilities.
A New Era
For decades, City Ambulance remained a family-run business. In 2019, the Sundquist family sold City Ambulance of Eureka, Inc. to Cal-Ore/REACH, a subsidiary of Global Medical Response (GMR), ushering in a new chapter for the company.
Today, the leadership team continues the mission of providing high-quality emergency medical services to Humboldt County and beyond.
An April 1975 public notice printed in the Times-Standard of Humboldt County, California, announcing services of City Ambulance of Eureka.
Wondering why old ambulance ads list direct numbers instead of 911?
California didn’t fully integrate 911 until 1985—making it the 2nd state in the US to do so—with Humboldt as the final county, thanks to then-OES Director William Chambers.
Check out this 1985 LA Times article announcing the milestone!
Services We Provide
🚑 Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance
🚑 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance
🚑 Community Event Standbys & Special Event Coverage
City Ambulance—50 years strong and always ready to serve.
City Ambulance team members pose for a pic while at a multi-agency training event.