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Residents report rescue at Paddle Point Park, say ice‑cream truck blocked responders; council to review ambulance billing
Summary
A resident described a recent rescue at Paddle Point Park and said ice‑cream trucks blocked emergency vehicle movement; another resident urged review of ambulance billing after receiving two $275 ambulance bills. Council asked staff to present how ambulance charges work.
During citizens input on Sept. 16, a Rowlett resident described a near‑drowning rescue at Paddle Point Park and raised safety concerns about the park’s ADA dock and vendor activity.
Dave Hole told the council he had previously raised reports of broken ADA equipment and said a sign stating "ADA access under repair" had been posted for about a year. He said that on Sept. 14 an RFD truck and ambulance went to the ADA dock to rescue a child who may have been unresponsive, and that ice‑cream trucks were operating in the park during the rescue and blocked emergency vehicle exit.
"Last Sunday, 09/14/2025, at about noon, an RFD truck and ambulance drove into Paddle Point Park. They went directly to the ADA dock and began a rescue of a kid who was floating in the lake ..." Hole said, adding that ice‑cream trucks regularly obstruct park traffic flow and that enforcement of existing ordinances seemed lax.
Separately, Mary DuBose said she received two ambulance bills for recent 911 calls, each for about $275, and asked council to review the city’s ambulance‑billing policy and participation in any discount programs. "I'm just asking that you go and review the policy ... to lower the fee or do away with the excess that's over what the insurance pays," DuBose said.
Council responded by noting the fire chief was in the audience and that staff would present ambulance‑billing procedures at a future meeting. Councilmember Gibbs specifically requested a presentation on how ambulance charges are billed and how the policy is applied so the council can understand DuBose’s concern.
What’s next: Council asked staff to schedule a presentation on ambulance charges and billing practices and to follow up on safety concerns at Paddle Point Park.
