Alliance Fire union proposes EMS transport service; administration opposes

ALLIANCE − Officials with the city's Fire Department want to start ambulance transport service, eying it as an untapped revenue stream.

The city's administration is opposed.

Jeremy Rhome, president of Alliance Professional Firefighters Local 480, brought the proposal to City Council on Monday night. He said he hopes for further discussion with City Council and to gain their support.

He said the Fire Department responds and treats patients on all emergency calls, but they rarely transports them to the nearby Aultman Alliance Community Hospital. A private company,  Emergency Medical Transport, which has a contract with the city, does a majority of the hospital transports.

"The only thing we do not do is the three-minute drive to the ER and collect the revenue," Rhome told City Council. "They, then, in turn, charge our citizens approximately $1,500 for ALS transport. They get what the insurance pays and hard bill our citizens (the rest)."

Rhome added: "If we were allowed to transport and soft bill, which means to charge the insurance only, our own citizens would be receiving a professional service and be able to save money as well."

No officials from EMT were in attendance.

'We believe it loses money.'

Safety-Service Director Mike Dreger said the city's ambulances can transport in some emergency situations. But Rhome told councilmembers that the Fire Department cannot recover those costs because "we are not authorized to bill for that."

Dreger, following the meeting, said he does not think ambulance transport services can generate enough revenue to offset necessary personnel costs. "We believe it loses money," he said.

Rhome estimated the city could earn a minimum of $200 for a 0.4-mile ride to Aultman Alliance Community Hospital. He also noted that other communities, such as Sebring Village and Canton Township, are averaging between $333 and $347 a transport.

"Massillon did the same thing in 2010," Rhome told City Council. "In 10 years, they have generated over $7 million for the city, and saved their citizens over $2.5 million in bills from a private EMS company."

Rhome also said there would be no start-up costs because the department already has the manpower and equipment, just not the authority.

Councilman intends to discuss the proposal more

Councilman Jack Madison, chairman of the Safety and Judicial Committee, said he intends to have more discussions on the proposal.

In an email, Madison said: "From what I heard at tonight's meeting, the prospect of having the city's fire service begin transporting services could be beneficial to the city and its residents. However, I do not have enough data to be able to make an accurate appraisal of how this change would impact the city, especially in regards to whether or not the city would lose money.

"I cannot say with any certainty if the council as a whole will weigh in on this issue, though I would like to have the Safety and Judiciary Committee meet to discuss this issue, and I intend to do so. There are many sides to this issue, and I think it is in everyone's best interest to hear what every party has to say."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Fire officials propose EMS transport to Alliance City Council