EMS Info
Our rescue squads responded to 1,933 medical emergencies and treated 2,154 patients in 2009.  Of those calls, 250 were outside the city limits.  March was the busiest month with 190 squad calls, and the average in town squad response time was roughly 3.95 minutes.  There were 179 times during the year when off-duty firefighters were called back to work because of multiple medical emergencies (two and three squad requests at the same time).  

 Advanced Life Support has been a service provided to the city by the fire department since 1995.  It enables our paramedics to administer certain medications, as well as IV's and advanced airway techniques.  This has proven to be a very positive step for the citizens we serve.  Of the 1,933 medical emergencies responded to in 2009, 33% were calls that required Advanced Life Support.   

In 2009, we updated our computer tablets on the rescue squads by replacing them with five Panasonic Tough Books.  By having computer PCs on the vehicles our personnel are able to begin and complete their reports earlier so they can be sent electronically to the State of Nebraska, often within an hour of the incident.

The EMS service provided by the fire department generates revenue through user fees, which are dependent on the level of service received.  In October 2009 the City began billing private insurance for ambulance reimbursements, and the City Council reassessed the rates and our user fees were adjusted.  Rates are based on the level of care provided to the patient.  A call requiring BLS service (Basic Life Support) is now billed at $450.00; an ALS1 (Advanced Life Support - Level 1) call is $550.00; and an ALS2 (Advanced Life Support - Level 2) call is $600.00.  A $12.00/mile one way fee is added to all transport runs.  When transporting is not necessary, but first aid or assistance is given to a patient there is a $100.00 fee.  When we are requested to “intercept” an ambulance from another community, a $50.00 fee is charged (this is currently be reviewed and may change in 2010).  Fremont’s rates are still considerably less than those of other providers.  In 2009, $352,715.00 in squad user fees was collected by the City.  This reflects an approximate 76% collection rate.

EMS Fees