REDDING, Calif. 鈥� The Redding Fire Department has begun retroactive billing of residents $489 for non-emergency 911 lift assist calls, the fire department reminded the public on Aug. 4.
Bills have been issued for applicable calls retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025
The city council approved the fee in 2023 and is currently applying it to lift assist calls, but will eventually extend it to all EMS calls handled by the fire department, reported.
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Lift assists are calls for help when someone has fallen and can鈥檛 get up, but isn鈥檛 facing a life-threatening emergency. The Redding Fire Department says it responds to about 1,200 of these calls each year 鈥� more than three per day on average.
Though low in acuity, these incidents are still important to the people involved. However, due to insurance restrictions and staffing models, local ambulance services typically do not respond to them, leaving the responsibility to fire crews.
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Officials say the new fees for lift assists will help recoup costs, with the revenue reinvested into the department鈥檚 budget.
Fee waiver requests are welcome, and the fire chief may waive or reduce the fee in special cases. Community members can submit a written request for review.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not here to penalize anyone,鈥� Fire Chief Jerrod Vanlandingham said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to protect lives, and we need the community鈥檚 help to make sure we can keep doing that as effectively as possible.鈥�
Is a lift assist fee a fair way to manage call volume and funding 鈥� or could it deter people from seeking help when they need it?
