Advice for new fire-based EMS service?

[lohof]

Hi Everyone, I'm looking for some information and advice. My department is looking at possibly assuming all emergency and non-emergency ambulance transports for our county. We are currently a first responding service with all EMT's, with transport provided at the paramedic level by a national ambulance chain. We have 109 suppression, 6 stations, with a population area of about 100,000. We have done a feasability study to show our city council how we'd like to proceed. We have also had lots of contact with the IAFF regarding this.
I'm looking for anyone who has recently had their department go into transporting patients. Especially helpful would be any ideas, problems you've had, and things that you've found out that we may not yet have considered. Also, if allowed, what your fee rates and reimbursment ratios are.
We will probably get the go/no-go in the nest 6 months, with probably a 1 year start-up delay. Thanks for your help Alan

[Ledbelly]

Alan-I can't help you much but do know that a neighboring city just started EMS also.... I am not aware of any of their members in the forum or if they have a website; however, as a last resort I guess you could call them...the Big Spring, Texas Fire Dept. I have a friend there and he relates that the main concern of the FF's is the lack of a pay increase for their newly required paramedic status.... For your info only, we recently raised price of transport from 250$ to 325$; not sure about transfer prices but most are now handled by private services anyway. We run 5 1st line ambulances (w/2 reserves) for about the same population as you.
Lee