why would somebody write letter to ems fire department?

Question

do you have to pay them if they help you w/ a medical emergency, or do they suggest a donation?
or do you have to notify them if you have someone that may need medical attention one day?

I am writing a novel so any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You have to pay them...well it really actually depends on your situation, sometimes a patients insurance will cover the ambulance ride over but that is usually only for elderly people who have medicare, usually people are required to pay for the ambulance ride out of pocket..sometimes in really small towns for local ambulance services they want at least some kind of donation but they write it off as a tax write off.

Answer 2

Depends on the city, some services are all volunteer and rely on donations, some charge at least to get reimbursed by insurance.

There are two types of people who will want to read a book about EMS. Those who like adventure and those who want to see if EMS is for them. EMS crews have little down time as they go from heart attack patient to auto wreck to infant not breathing to drug overdose.

But there are still struggles. EMS made the transition from a health need to a business dealing in medicine. smaller EMS company is bought out by a larger one. There are new regulations promulgated by unknown faces. There's the worry about pay and jobs though friends reminds him that EMS companies still need "meat on the seat." EMS work in my part of the country is different yet so much alike. The hours are long. A shift is 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The pay is lousy. The only way that the guys make a living is by going from one shift to the next. One medic once told me he had not been home for 11 days. That was after he told me he was trying to leave EMS for nursing. Most of the smaller EMS companies in this area are now gone. Larger companies have taken over the rural areas and even some of the larger cities. This has lead to a demand for medics with techs being told that they need not apply for a job. So two years of schooling (some less, some more) is required to get a job in EMS. And I know of some areas where the EMS guys are getting burnout in about three years. Oh, and did I say the pay is lousy?

Answer 3

Most Fire and EMS agencies, even volunteer ones, do bill for their services rendered. Most of the time they will only bill the insurance companies if you have insurance, and leave it as that. Some may even pursue credit collections if not paid, just depends on the company. Also some Departments will do what's called a users, or Fire, fee. What this is, is a fee that you pay every year. It may be $25 for residential, and business depends on their size. Then if you need that departments service you are covered, and they will not bill. You could also get a good bit of information on this subject by talking with your local providers. Good luck, and have a great weekend :D

Answer 4

once again it depends where you live. in nj on your homeowners insureance there is a 500 deductible for fire department services. many fire co do not bill but some will just take the 500. some towns have fire districts which is a dollar amount pais on your accessed valure of your property. i the ems world many towns in nj are now billing. we have a 2 tier system which means if you have a headache or toothache(yes they do call for an ambulance for such) and just need a "taxi" to the hospital the ems will bil your insurance co. the money paid by insurance or medicare is that the local ems squad will take as payment. if you are in need of more serious care a medic is dispatched to provide drugs and further advanced life support if needed ie heart attack stroke etc. at that time the medic bills and gets all the funds collected the local ems unit gets nothing. in nj medics are seperate veh usually suvs or police style cars w/2 medics on board. if needed 1 will go whith ambulance other will follow in medic veh. then again if you are a trauma pt a helicopter is avail if you ar to far by ground to the closest trauma center. nj charges an addtional one dollar to all drivers licenses to offset the cost of the heli which is flown by the state pd with medics and flight nurses on board. there are 2 here one in north and one in south jersey. so called northstar and southstar with many other in pa and de avail but they will charge you 5 grand + for the flight. not to jump back but if you are in a veh accident and the fire department has to cut you out of the veh or put oil dry down to clean the street they can chrge you for each fire apperatus /generator/jaws of life and oil dry that is used. an engine can cost you $225 generator $100 etc etc etc. not all depts charge and once again it is to your insurance co and what ever they send is what the fd will take. most emergency services will send you a statement of chrges to your insurance co amount paid by them and mark clearly that this is not a bill . good luck in your book. 15 years fire service 10 ems

Answer 5

I think most of the letters they get are thank yous for helping in an emergency.

Some towns bill your health insurance for ambulance runs, if you have that coverage.

No you don't have to tell them you might have an emergency. If you have a chronic illness that could be worsened if your house loses electricity or some other situation like that you might want to drop them a note ahead of time. I don't think they are expecting notes like "My two year old likes to climb up on the kitchen counter so please be ready for a call that he fell off. Don't turn on your sirens when you are coming because that might scare him if he is not unconscious"

Answer 6

In Ontario now you have to pay for non-emergency transport, from your home to hospital, (because you think you need to go). I think it's still $50.00. Emergency transport (heart attack. injury etc) is free last I heard. Transport between hospitals is free as well.

Answer 7

what an odd question. it depends on the regulation in your area, likley your county.

i wrote to mine once, just to let them know i appreciated them. as they cannot accpet a plate of brownies!

Answer 8

you have to pay them.