Three private ambulance companies help service the city of Milwaukee's 911 calls, designed to allow the Milwaukee Fire Department paramedics to focus on the most life-threatening calls.
Bell, Curtis, and Paratech Ambulance companies handle what are called basic life support 911 calls, sprains, strains, and other minor injuries. MFD takes higher acuity calls, like overdoses and cardiac arrests. "Normal items from a basic life support won't kill you right now," said Assistant Fire Chief Joshua Parish. "Advanced life support has that higher lethality in the short term."
But with increasing call loads, the companies are struggling to meet the demand for service in the city. When they can't make a call, it's called a turn-back. If all three companies are turned back, the call falls on the MFD. The strain on the private ambulances and MFD may likely increase, as Paratech's parent company Midwest Medical Transportation, has indicated they plan to exit the city's agreement with the private ambulances.