The California Poison Control System (CPCS) was founded in 1997, to centralize poisoning advice and prevention services in California. Serving all Californians through a single, toll free number, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, CPCS is the largest single provider of poison control services in the United States and leads the state as the primary resource for poison education, prevention, and treatment for the general public and health care professionals. Our mission is to prevent an increase in non-fatal poisonings and poisoning deaths, in conjunction with saving Californians millions of dollars in unnecessary health care cost.

Since inception, CPCS has received over six million calls, many of which have averted tragedies and saved lives. Our program’s success can be attributed to our specially trained toxicologists, who have prior education and training as physicians, pharmacists or nurses.

CPCS operates as a single virtual call center, though maintains four divisions located in southern, central and northern California. Divisions use uniform protocols and guidelines to provide free, immediate, high-quality emergency telephone advice for poison exposures, to the public and medical professionals. Geographical redundancy across the state allows CPCS to provide services uninterrupted, in the event of natural disasters affecting one, two or three divisions.