While the Gary Fire Department stays busy responding to fire calls, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said that the department is also challenged by having its paramedics respond to emergency calls.
At its March 5 meeting, the Common Council approved an ordinance altering the city’s ambulance fees. “Our firefighters respond to a lot of fire calls, but they actually respond to many more calls for an ambulance to help in someone’s time of need,” the mayor said.
The council voted without opposition on an ordinance that amended the ambulance fee measure they approved last year.
Rates set last year ranged from $575 for basic life support services to $800 for advanced life support services. Those rates were for Gary residents – non-residents are charged a fee about $100 higher.