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REMSA reports rising demand, $1.6M in uncompensated care for Sparks residents
Summary
REMSA Health told the Sparks council it responds to about 95,000 calls annually, transports roughly 65,000 patients, and provided on-scene care to 6,149 Sparks residents last year valued at about $1.6 million in uncompensated care.
Barry Duplantis, president and CEO of REMSA Health, updated the Sparks City Council on Oct. 28 about REMSA's regional ambulance operations and local services.
Duplantis said REMSA, organized under an interlocal agreement and serving as the region's exclusive EMS provider, responds to roughly 95,000 calls per year and transports about 65,000 patients. He emphasized that REMSA provides on-scene care without transport about one-third of the time and that care begins at the dispatch center where EMT-trained clinicians provide medical instructions by phone.
Duplantis reported that 6,149 Sparks residents received on-scene care without charge; REMSA estimated the value of that uncompensated care at about $1.6 million. He added that REMSA spent $7.6 million on new equipment in fiscal 2025, employs roughly 600 people systemwide (about 138 employees reside in Sparks), and has invested in community programs including car-seat installations and CPR training.
REMSA uses predictive analytics and historic calls to position ambulances and said that practice explains why ambulances are sometimes parked in retail lots. Duplantis described REMSA as a nonprofit that reinvests revenues into operations and equipment and said the agency is exploring philanthropic channels to support long-term sustainability.
Duplantis thanked Sparks staff and the fire department for collaboration and invited council questions; none were substantial during his presentation.
