Reviews from Readers
Discover what readers are saying about Paramedic Chief—a firsthand account of extraordinary emergencies, unforgettable experiences, and the history of emergency medical services in Los Angeles.
DJ@Knight
★★★★★ Verified Amazon Purchase | January 2026
A Most Exciting and Informative Reading about actual Medical Emergencies
This is an Amazing Book written by our Chief Paramedic Officer, sharing experiences of day to day medical emergencies in Los Angeles, the second largest city in the USA, with a Paramedic resource in each of our 106 LAFD Fire Stations, covering 466 square miles in our city.
J. Ojala
★★★★★ Verified Amazon Purchase | May 2024
Harrowing stories from a man who witnessed it all!
Extremely thorough history of the L. A. Emergency Services told with an intimate and humble first hand account from Paramedic Chief Alan Cowen. From the 1960's to the early 2000's, Chief Cowen has seen everything. He also shares some very personal and absorbing anecdotal stories from the terrifying to the bizarre. Some highlights are getting his perspective of the L.A. riots and the Northridge Earthquake and how both events crippled the city in many ways. If you're interested in this world at all, definitely check it out.
NBth
★★★★★ Verified Amazon Purchase | June 2025
Story of dedication and caring. Excellent bio of a dedicated and caring man. Well worth the read. Wonderful history of events in our local past.
Robert Lefebvre
★★★★★ Verified Amazon Purchase | July 2024
Great Paramedic history for the LAFD
The perspective of Chief Cowen was very insightful and a great look at the progression of EMS within one of the largest EMS providers in the US.
Amazon Customer
★★★★★ Verified Amazon Purchase | December 2023
A good read if you're interested in learning about the history of EMS in Los Angeles.
Well written, easy to follow. Fabulous pictures outlining the story of how paramedics entered the fire service.
History Nut
★★★★☆ Verified Amazon Purchase | January 2024
Excellent history and personal story
Full disclosure: I was a Paramedic on the Los Angeles FD Ambulance Service from 1978-2003. My views on this book are influenced by my personal experience. This book is important for two reasons. It tells a brief history of the LAFD Ambulance Service from the viewpoint of a long-serving member who went from "Ambulance Driver" to "Chief Paramedic" during his career. That is an important story by itself. Secondly, it covers Emergency Medical Services in the City of Los Angeles in a much broader scale. I knew a lot of the same people mentioned by Chief Cowan. I do wish that if it goes to a second edition, he adds more history of the ambulance members themselves. They deserve recognition and remembrance. I do highly recommend this book for anyone as it is an important story. I believe the former members of the LAFD Ambulance Service should all read this book.
