Virtual Museum EMS History

    James O. Page was and IS often referred to as the "Father of the Modern Emergency Medicial Services".  Born in 1936, he was a highly respected and beloved member of this community for over 47 years.  

     Mr. Page's  career in the fire service began in 1957, as a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  Over time, he worked his way up through the department to an officer's command, all the while completing an undergraduate degree and later, his law degreee.  

      In 1971, Mr. Page was asked to coordinate the newly minted, countywide Paramedic rescue services, while simultaneously serving as the  technical consultant (and, later, as a writer) for the "Emergency!" television series.

     In 1973, he became the Chief of EMS for North Carolina.   In 1976, he was installed as the Executive Director of the non-profit ACT (Advanced Coronary Treatment) Foundation. In 1979, he founded JEMS ( the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. 

    In 1984, Mr. Page returned to the California fire service, and retired as the Fire Chief for the City of Monterey Park (in Los Angeles County), in 1989.  He then returned full-time to JEMS as the Chairman and CEO of JEMS Communications, retiring from that position in 2001.  He continued to serve as Publisher Emeritus for both JEMS and FireRescue magazines until his death.

       A partner in the law firm Page, Wolfberg, and Wirth (PA and CA), Mr. Page wrote and published six books ( The Paramedics , and The Magic of 3 A.M., among others), more than 400 articles, appeared in several videos (including The History of Modern EMS: Making A Difference, which he also narrated) and presented publicly more than 800  times during his career. He established and funded an EMS educational foundation at Palomar College near San Diego.

       In 2000, Mr. Page was named one of the 20 most influential fire chiefs of the 20th Century, by Fire Chief magazine.   The James O Page Award for Excellence was named in his honor in 1995.  It is presented annually "to an individual who has played a key role in creating and/or promoting non-clinical innovation and achievements in fire service EMS management and leadership resulting in a positive impact nationally. "

     Mr. Page and his wife Jane, spent much of his last months touring more than 30 (of his intended 100) of the "best small town" fire departments across the country.  He had intended to write profiles of each, but sadly this was not completed prior to his demis.  Mr. Page died suddenly of cardiac arrest at his home in Carlsbad, California in September, 2004.

      The Emergency Medical Services owes much of its cultural identity to Mr. Page through his efforts towards helping this profession grow from infancy to what it is today.  Many feel it would be impossible to definitively measure h is influence on the profession of Emergency Medicine in its' scope and effect. 

     While Mr. Page's professional accomplishments are legendary, he was also admired personally by all who were fortunate enough to meet and know him.  Mere words cannot convey the depth of the richly deserved admiration and respect he earned from thousands of men and women throughout this nation and the world.  His memory and efforts will live on in the hearts and minds of many, even as his legacy is honored in the daily actions of committed and passionate EMS professionals.   

- K.P. Rickey 6/2007

Keywords: James O. Page, Jim Page, Father of Modern EMS, In Memoriam

Last Revision Date: 6/7/07 - 5:45 PM