James O. Page Collection Endowment

The James O. Page Charitable Foundation established the James O. Page Collection Endowment at UCLA to support the acquisition, preservation and processing of materials for the James O. Page Collection housed in the Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections for the Sciences. James O. Page, JD (1936–2004), often called “the father of modern emergency medical services (EMS),” was recognized as a leading authority on the topic. He was an early promoter of the concept of paramedics and demonstrated the value of EMS as a unique community asset. Mr. Page served in Los Angeles County’s Monterey Park Fire Department for sixteen years, rising to the rank of battalion chief. Years later, after a lifetime of service as a publisher, writer, attorney and North Carolina state EMS director, he returned to Monterey Park as chief of the department where he started. His articles, speeches and contributions to the creation of the TV show “Emergency!” inspired the public by drawing attention and recognition to EMTs and paramedics — the people who, in Page’s words, “give countless hours to training and preparation, who forsake opportunities for wealth, who disregard their own convenience and safety in caring for ill and injured people.” The collection includes Mr. Page’s articles, speeches, reports, manuscripts, memorabilia, personal correspondence, audio files, and videos. Some items will be digitized and available to view online as resources in the history and culture of EMS. The collection is also intended to act as a touchstone and gathering place for the papers, records, and works of other EMS pioneers and leaders. The James O. Page Collection Endowment is like the man himself: one of a kind. It supports and builds upon a collection of considerable depth and breadth as it brings together materials that shaped the EMS field.