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Emergency Transportation

To read the Phoenix Fire Department's Medical Privacy Statement, click HERE.

For a printable Emergency Information and Personal Medical History form, click HERE.

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Prior to 1985, the Phoenix Fire Department relied on private ambulance companies to transport its patients. At that time, seven ambulance companies participated in our rotational dispatch policy. Average response times were unacceptable; approaching 20minutes and a standard of a 10 minutes response time was met only 50% of the time.

The City of Phoenix chose to change to a single transportation service. The Phoenix Fire Department was permitted to compete in the bidding process for this service and was chosen as the ambulance provider for the City of Phoenix. In November 1985, Phoenix Fire Department Emergency Transportation Services (ETS) was implemented. Since its inception, ambulance response times to all areas within the boundaries of Phoenix have improved substantially. The service consistently maintains a response time of under 10 minutes 92% of the time with a majority arriving on the scene in less than 5 minutes.

Services for ambulance billing has been contracted to a private sector medical billing vendor, but the ETS administrative staff performs quality control and support functions that have improved cash receipts well above the service delivery cost. The direct cost for emergency ambulance service is presently about $7.7 million per year. Cash receipts total over $12 million. The collection rate of adjusted accounts receivable experiences an average of 71% -- well within the 60% required by contract.

The State of Arizona regulates the ambulance industry and mandates a standardized fee schedule. As of June 1, 2004, the rate table includes an ALS (Advanced Life Support) base rate of $586.00, BLS (Basic Life Support) base rate of $522.00, plus $12.15 per mile, and cost recovery only for disposable medical supplies.

Although some of our service delivery goals are imposed by the State (e.g. response time, staffing, training, fees for service), the Department remains committed in its efforts to constantly improve service delivery. As part of the Department's approach to Total Quality Management, the Department has implemented labor management teams as a tool to evaluate, develop and implement program improvements. These teams consist of management personnel, members assigned to ambulances and representatives from United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association, Local 493.