Phoenix VA is bringing ambulance service in-house, with three units set to begin operating in August for veterans traveling to medical appointments or between health care facilities. It is a practical upgrade for patients who need medical transportation but are not facing the kind of emergency that calls for 911.
According to ABC15 Arizona, the VA-operated fleet will supplement the agency’s existing network of contracted transportation providers. Each ambulance will be staffed by VA-employed paramedics and emergency medical technicians, giving the Phoenix system more flexibility as it works to reduce transportation delays.
The service will focus on non-emergency trips, including rides to appointments and transfers between medical facilities. The VA’s transportation guidance says veterans may qualify for an ambulance or specially equipped vehicle when a VA clinician determines that standard transportation is not appropriate.
Three Ambulances, Plus A Disaster Role
The new vehicles will have a job beyond routine veteran care. ABC15 Arizona reports that the ambulances can also support the VA’s “Fourth Mission” as a federal medical resource during community-wide emergencies and disasters.
That mission is broader than the VA’s usual patient-care role: The agency’s Fourth Mission overview describes it as supporting national, state and local emergency management efforts during events such as natural disasters and other large-scale emergencies.
How The New Fleet Fits Existing Phoenix Services
Phoenix veterans already have access to DAV vans and other transportation options for scheduled care. The Phoenix VA says DAV vans provide free rides and serve roughly 1,500 to 1,700 veterans each month, but the vans are limited to ambulatory passengers and are not emergency vehicles.
That makes the ambulance fleet a useful added layer for veterans who need more medically equipped transportation. The move also comes during a period of expanding VA enrollment: VA News reported this month that more than 200,000 new veterans had enrolled in VA health care during 2026.
The Phoenix program is not a replacement for emergency response. Veterans experiencing a life-threatening emergency should still call 911, while details about how to schedule rides through the new service are expected to come from the Phoenix VA as the August launch approaches.
