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Residents question high ambulance bills; staff explain vehicle, equipment and staffing costs
Summary
During public comment residents asked why ambulance rides cost so much; county staff explained vehicle and equipment costs (about $260,000 plus $100,000–$150,000 in equipment), staffing model, paid-on-call stipends and that roughly 75% of runs are 911 lift assists and 25% are transports.
Residents used the public-comment period to question ambulance charges and the department provided a breakdown of costs and staffing.
A resident asked, "So why are ambulance rides so very expensive if the ambulance were not making much money?" Jared replied that a recent ambulance cost about $260,000 and the outfitting required an additional $100,000 to $150,000 in equipment, and that diesel and disposable medical supplies add to per-call costs.
Jared also described staffing levels: "We've got 2 new EMTs now that completed their national registry, which brings us to 14 EMTs, 2 paramedics, and 5 drivers," and said recent retirements and a departure temporarily reduced paramedic coverage. He explained paid volunteers receive on-call pay for 12-hour shifts and per-call fees on top of that: "a 12 hour shift on call pays 37 to $44 depending on position." The department said about 75% of activity is 911 lift assists and about 25% are transports, and maintenance costs for rigs are a major recurring expense.
