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 It is the responsibility of the Department of EMS to provide a progressive and
comprehensive system of pre-hospital care, education, and public awareness to the
residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. EMS is responsible for coordinating the dispatch,
movement, and communications of all emergency medical vehicles within the parish.
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the Department of EMS is
to be the sole provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care within
East Baton Rouge Parish. This department is responsible for
dispatching and coordinating the pre-hospital movement of all
emergency medical vehicles within the parish. It provides public
awareness and CPR and first aid training to citizens. It also
provides continuing medical education to physicians, nurses,
respiratory therapists, and other health professionals and conducts
ongoing EMT paramedic training. In addition, responsibilities include
issuing all permits to operate an ambulance within the parish and
coordinating all emergency medical radio communications frequencies
within the parish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since property taxes are collected for EMS, why am I charged a fee for
Emergency Medical Services? I thought this was a free service?
When EMS started in 1982, our system was funded by federal funds. These
funds allowed us to provide our services at no cost to our citizens. Then
in 1984, these funds were cut-off. That same year the voters approved a
3.0 mileage property tax to provide a portion of the funding needed to
keep us operating. At that time it was also determined that patient
billing would provide the additional funding that EMS needed. The rational
behind this decision was that it would be more equitable for the citizens
that actually used our services to be the ones who helped pay for them.
Currently, property taxes provide approximately 50% of our funding and
patient billing provides the remaining 50%.
What is the next step once I receive a bill from EMS?
If you wish for EMS to file a claim with your insurance company,
please fill out the back of you ambulance bill with all the proper
information and sign the form. We must have your signature in order to
file a claim on your behalf.
For Billing Inquiries call 389-5319
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