RANCHO SANTA FE — Nancy Hillgren is now representing the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District on the CSA-17 committee.
CSA-17 oversees ambulance services for 150,000 residents in Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.
Currently, Hillgren’s main goal for CSA-17 is to help ensure the success of a new 911 ambulance provider.
Several months ago, the county awarded an eight-year contract to American Medical Response to serve CSA-17. Rural/Metro Corporation previously provided ambulances for the area.
“We want to make sure there’s a smooth transition and no disruption in service,” Hillgren said.
Making the transition involves the CSA-17 board coordinating with the various fire departments on a regular basis, she said.
Also on her radar: CSA-17 is looking at “community paramedicine,” which involves expanding the role of paramedics to include pre-hospital and home nurse services.
And Hillgren noted she’s excited about a second emergency transport helicopter recently coming online for CSA-17.
Beyond that, Hillgren said she looks forward to finding “fiscal efficiencies.”
Confirmed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Hillgren’s CSA-17 term began this past November. Her seat is up for reelection in 2016.
She replaced Tom Hickerson, who resigned in July to move to Florida.
Hillgren, a retired lawyer, has been a Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District board member for more than a decade. The elected role entails handling four fire stations.
According to an August 2013 agenda report, CSA-17 had $4.39 million in revenue and $3.7 million in expenditures.
