Syracuse To Hike EMS Rates
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - One of the least expensive area ambulance services received permission Tuesday to hike its rates in order to finance future purchases.
Town council approved a recommendation by Syracuse Fire Chief Jerry Byrd to increase ambulance service rates for Syracuse EMS.
The move was also unanimously supported by EMS personnel, Byrd told council members Tuesday.
Council approved the request unanimously.
Despite the hike, the new rates are still among the lowest, Byrd said.
The changes include:
• Basic rate jumps from $85 per call and $3 a loaded miles to $150 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile.
• Advanced rate jumps from $150 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile to $200 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile.
• The service will continue to bill for supplies.
According to Byrd, North Webster's basic rate is $125 per call and $3.50 per loaded mile. Milford charges $175 and $3 per loaded mile. Goshen charges a flat rate of $300 for all runs.
"We have to change," Byrd said.
"We're just trying to survive and put some money in the bank."
Council also approved plans to hike the pay rate for EMS crews from $6 plus $1.65 for every 15 minutes of work to a flat rate of $9.
Town officials are also working with state medicare officials in hopes of being able to collect a larger amount of medicare contributions. The request is standard when rates are hiked, he said.
The increase is expected to generate about $25,000 more in revenues per year, Byrd estimated.
Byrd said the town will need a new ambulance in about two years.
Syracuse EMS services all of Turkey Creek Township, which includes about 36 square miles, he said.
The town has staff on duty through most of the day and depends on volunteers for remaining hours.
Town council also voiced support for representatives of the park department and the Scout Cabin to look further into needs for a multi-purpose community building similar to Warsaw's Center Lake Pavilion.
The old scout cabin is in disrepair, and most town officials agree a new facility is needed.
Parks director Susan Neff said momentum in the project has reached a standstill for lack of direction.
Officials agreed to determine the amount of programming various groups might need and then try to assess the needed size of the building. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - One of the least expensive area ambulance services received permission Tuesday to hike its rates in order to finance future purchases.
Town council approved a recommendation by Syracuse Fire Chief Jerry Byrd to increase ambulance service rates for Syracuse EMS.
The move was also unanimously supported by EMS personnel, Byrd told council members Tuesday.
Council approved the request unanimously.
Despite the hike, the new rates are still among the lowest, Byrd said.
The changes include:
• Basic rate jumps from $85 per call and $3 a loaded miles to $150 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile.
• Advanced rate jumps from $150 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile to $200 per call and $3.50 a loaded mile.
• The service will continue to bill for supplies.
According to Byrd, North Webster's basic rate is $125 per call and $3.50 per loaded mile. Milford charges $175 and $3 per loaded mile. Goshen charges a flat rate of $300 for all runs.
"We have to change," Byrd said.
"We're just trying to survive and put some money in the bank."
Council also approved plans to hike the pay rate for EMS crews from $6 plus $1.65 for every 15 minutes of work to a flat rate of $9.
Town officials are also working with state medicare officials in hopes of being able to collect a larger amount of medicare contributions. The request is standard when rates are hiked, he said.
The increase is expected to generate about $25,000 more in revenues per year, Byrd estimated.
Byrd said the town will need a new ambulance in about two years.
Syracuse EMS services all of Turkey Creek Township, which includes about 36 square miles, he said.
The town has staff on duty through most of the day and depends on volunteers for remaining hours.
Town council also voiced support for representatives of the park department and the Scout Cabin to look further into needs for a multi-purpose community building similar to Warsaw's Center Lake Pavilion.
The old scout cabin is in disrepair, and most town officials agree a new facility is needed.
Parks director Susan Neff said momentum in the project has reached a standstill for lack of direction.
Officials agreed to determine the amount of programming various groups might need and then try to assess the needed size of the building. [[In-content Ad]]