Hammond council advances ordinance to charge for non-emergency 'lift assists' by fire department

Councilman Rayko moved and the Common Council approved first and second reading of Ordinance 26-02, a measure authorizing fees for non-emergency "lift assist" responses by the Hammond Fire Department (HFD). Rayko told the council the ordinance responds to repeated incidents "where residential care facilities and private ambulance services are abusing or overusing the fire department" for non-emergency assistance, which the ordinance defines as situations with "no reported observed medical emergency, no immediate threat to life, limb, or property, and no medical treatment transport or emergency intervention is required or provided."

Councilwoman Alexander and other members sought clarification that the council intends any fee to apply to facilities or private vendors rather than residents who themselves call for help; Alexander emphasized the need to protect individual residents. President Velez replied that it is "absolutely not the intention" to bill residents who themselves initiate calls and that the concern is organizations outsourcing care to HFD rather than using their own staff.

Members asked staff to supply data on how often HFD provided lift assists in 2024 and 2025 and to produce a list of facilities in Hammond that would be subject to the ordinance. Councilman (unnamed in the roll) requested both frequency data and the facility list; the clerk confirmed staff will compile that information and that the item will receive committee review for operational details such as when billing applies.

The motion to advance Ordinance 26-02 on first and second reading passed with no recorded opposition. The council will examine the data and jurisdictional details in committee before any final billing policy or implementation steps are adopted.