The Upper Arlington Fire Division provides paramedic care with advanced life support capabilities. All medic trucks are staffed with at least two paramedics and all fire apparatus have at least one paramedic at all times. This model provides residents with rapid response to requests for EMS even when the medic units are already on other calls. It is common to see a fire truck respond to EMS calls either in advance of a medic unit or in conjunction with a medic unit.
The Medical Advisory Board was established in 1974 to provide on-going professional supervision, training, and support to UAFD’s emergency medical program. The seven member board is comprised of Emergency Department physicians, pediatricians, cardiologists and trauma specialists. The board regularly reviews the EMS protocol, assists with the training of paramedics and basic EMTs, and performs quality control evaluations of the performance of the UAFD medic companies.
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Like most communities nationwide, the Fire Division bills for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) transports, since private insurance and Medicare policies contain provisions for treatment and transport by an emergency medical provider. The funds generated provide an effective long-term means to defray some of the costs involved with Fire Division operations.
If you or a family member is provided with emergency medical services that result in transportation to a local hospital, a bill for the transport will be sent to your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid. There is never a situation where service must be paid for on the day it is rendered.
Patient care will not be compromised by this program and you should never be afraid to call 9-1-1 for help when you need it. The Fire Division will never refuse to render treatment or to transport to a medical facility due to inability to pay or lack of insurance.
EMS services should always be used in times of medical emergency; especially when a patient is alone and not in a condition to drive to a medical facility. EMS providers deliver patients to medical facilities rapidly and safely, while initiating medical treatment.
Following an EMS transport, bills are sent to the insurance company of the patient. Patients only see a request for information in the mail if the record of insurance is not on file and cannot be obtained by the EMS crew (e.g. the patient was unconscious). Patients may receive a “signature letter” to sign and return following transport to a medical facility. This is not a bill, and to assist in processing the insurance payment, you are asked to sign and return the letter promptly.
UA residents should also be aware that if Upper Arlington medic units are occupied with other EMS calls, medical care would be provided via another Fire Division. In such situations, the insurance reimbursement regulations require that non-residents of the entity providing the service be billed for the co-pay required by their insurance company.
We are always looking for innovative ways to bring the best care possible to our community and are proud to offer CARES—Community Assistance, Referrals and Education Services. CARES focuses on education, injury prevention and building community partnerships to help improve residents lives. CARES is a paramedicine program that provides community-based healthcare, with our paramedics functioning outside their customary emergency response roles to educate and assist residents in health care issues, and developing useful collaborations with area providers.
If you are interested in supporting CARES, you can donate to the Upper Arlington Fire Division’s CARES Fund. Complete the contact form below if you would like to donate.
To learn more or to schedule one of the services listed below, contact us at 614-583-5352 or [email protected]. If you are a resident or area health organization that sees an opportunity for partnering with the Fire Division to expand public health in Upper Arlington, we want to hear from you—please complete the contact form below.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Residents may stop by either fire station to have their blood pressure taken. We recommend that you call ahead, at 614-583-5100, to make sure staff is available.
UA CARES REGISTRY
At a family’s invitation, members of the UA CARES team will schedule a home visit to meet individuals with cognitive, communication, or mobility impairments or complex medical needs. The team will gather pertinent information about the specific needs of the individual, perform a basic home safety evaluation, collaborate with the family to prepare, and work with everyone to develop a trusting relationship in case of any future emergency situations. The information gathered by the UA CARES team–all confidential–can be used by the City’s emergency services, to provide the best level of care and compassion to the individuals on the registry.
To find out more about the UA CARES Registry, contact [email protected] or 614-583-5352.
CAR SEATS
To have your car seat inspected by a certified inspector, please call 614-583-5100 to schedule an appointment.
Nine out of 10 car seats have some installation issue that could result in a child not surviving a crash. Car seat safety checks make it possible to assist parents with installation and problem car seats, ensuring that children are safe for every car ride.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, there are several things a parent or caregiver can do (other than using appropriate infant and toddler seats) to help ensure the safety of children aged four-eight years:
- Use the harnessed car seat until the child is at least 40 pounds
- Use a booster seat for children 40 pounds to 80-100 pounds and 4’9″ in height. Continue to use the booster seat until the safety belt fits properly on the shoulder and hips
- Require that all children sit in the back seat until they are 13 years old
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a safety belt or is in a proper restraint every time on every trip
Tips on how to test if your child is appropriate for safety belt use alone:
- Have the child sit on the vehicle seat with his/her back and bottom against the seat back
- Check to see if knees bend at the vehicle’s seat edge and if feet touch the floor (optimal)
- Fasten safety belt across hip and shoulders. Check that the lap belt stays on the hips and the shoulder belt lies on the collarbone or shoulder
- The child should be able to maintain that position for the entire ride
If any of these items cannot be done, a booster seat is the way to go. This information is important not only in the daily transportation of children, but also for field trips and carpooling.
COORDINATED CARE
UA CARES is uniquely positioned to support partnerships with local healthcare providers to create coordinated home care support for our most vulnerable residents. UA CARES goals are to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, facilitate healthcare navigation and increase connection to community resources.
CPR & AED TRAINING
Through our Community CPR training program—which is offered bi-monthly—residents can attain certification in CPR and learn how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Upon completion of the class, students will be American Heart Association certified in Heartsaver CPR/AED for a two-year period. This includes techniques for resuscitation of adults, children and infants.
We have just the right class for your needs whether you wanted to learn the basics of CPR in the privacy of your home with our Street by Street program or you are a healthcare provider in need of certifications for your workplace.
Registration for the Heartsaver course is coordinated through the City’s Parks & Recreation Department. You can register online (link below), by phone at 614-583-5300 or in-person at the Parks & Recreation desk at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221.
- Heartsaver CPR/AED- $35 plus the cost of the optional training material- at Station 72
- Heartsaver CPR/AED- $45 plus the cost of the optional training material- at your location
- Healthcare Providers- $65 plus the cost of the optional training material- at Station 72
- Healthcare Providers- $75 plus the cost of the optional training material- at your location
For additional CPR course options and pricing, please contact Captian Chris Moore [email protected] or at 614-583-5111.
HOME SAFETY
UA CARES team members can conduct a confidential, non-emergency medical evaluation and education in your own home, helping residents stay safe in their homes and reducing the need for future emergency medical care. UA CARES team members can also conduct fall risk assessments to help reduce the risk of residents falling in their home
FAQS
EMS (17)
The City offers a Community CPR training program, certified Heartsaver CPR/AED, through LifeLong Learning & Leisure with the Parks & Recreation Department – Activity Registration at 614-583-5333. For the basics of CPR or healthcare provider courses, please contact UA CARES at 614-583-5352 or [email protected].
Residents may stop by any fire station to have their blood pressure taken. It is recommended to call the Fire Division at 614-583-5100 before you arrive to verify if staff is available.
JUNE 2022 UPDATE: With the start of renovations to the Police Division offices at the Municipal Services Center, the Drug Collection Unit has been decommissioned and the division is no longer accepting old or unused prescription drugs. The closest alternative is at the CVS pharmacy at Kingsdale.
DEA Drug Take Back Events
Each fall and spring, the Police Division takes part in national drug take back events coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). These events provide an easy way for residents to drop-off old and unused prescription drugs drive-thru style at the Municipal Services Center parking lot. Dates are posted on our event calendar and published in City newsletters.
Visit the Police Support Services Bureau – Drug Disposal section of our website or call 614-583-5150 with questions.
No. All calls for help are answered in the same manner, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.
All calls to 9-1-1 in Upper Arlington go to the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center. Dispatchers immediately send the closest available unit that has the required equipment and personnel. This may be a medic unit, fire truck or a combination of the two. Typically these are Upper Arlington units however, if all Upper Arlington units are busy with other emergencies, units from other communities in Franklin County are called upon to respond, thanks to mutual aid agreements that assure quick emergency service.
No. Mutual aid is recognized as an important mechanism for assuring comprehensive and responsive fire and medical emergency assistance to citizens of all Franklin County communities. Community leaders and fire chiefs of these communities have agreed that mutual aid will not be affected in any way.
Appropriate treatment is rendered according to the injury or illness. Transportation to a medical facility is sometimes but not always required. If the patient’s condition warrants it, the medic unit provides this service.
If the patient is in a condition to do so, he/she is asked for medical insurance information and a signature, as typically happens when being admitted to a hospital. If this practice might interfere with patient care, it is delayed or a relative is asked to provide the appropriate information. EMS reporting software currently used by Upper Arlington already collects most of the required information, and can be expanded to capture insurance information.
- Transport claims will be submitted to Medicaid/Medicare/private insurance as before.
- Non-residents will receive up to three bills for any balance not paid by Medicare/Medicaid/private insurance, or the entire amount if they do not have insurance.
Responding to a call for help remains the top priority, regardless of an individual’s medical insurance situation and ability to pay. Upper Arlington residents will not receive a bill for the transport or any outstanding balance, even if they do not have insurance. While non-residents will receive a bill for any outstanding balance not covered by insurance or the full amount due, the City will work with low-income individuals who do not have insurance as such cases arise.
- Upper Arlington residents will not be billed for a transport or for any outstanding balance on a claim, even if they do not have insurance.
- Residents may receive a letter requesting or verifying insurance information if it had not been obtained in full at the time of the EMS transport.
- Some private insurance companies may submit payment to the patient when it should be sent to the City. If this occurs and the patient has not forwarded the check to the City, he/she will receive a letter from the City requesting reimbursement.
- In some cases whereby an EMS transport is provided by another jurisdiction through mutual aid, the policy of that responding agency will apply, therefore Upper Arlington residents may receive a bill for any balance due on the claim.
Yes, both private and government health insurance plans include provisions for EMS transportation.
No. Once gathered, patient information would be forwarded to a third party billing agency contracted by the City and specializing in EMS billing. The patient’s insurance company or Medicare would be billed for the run. Recent changes in rules set by the Department of Health and Human Services enables government entities to only invoice the patient’s insurance company or Medicare, and does not require them to bill those who cannot pay or are indigent. They may also waive the coinsurance fee for their residents rather than adopt a “hard billing” policy that would result in invoicing the patient for the balance and taking a proactive collection stance.
Health care costs will rise regardless of whether a community bills for EMS transports. The primary factors influencing such increases are prescription drug coverage, medical litigation, technology in medicine and depressed investment company returns. Most private insurance and Medicare policies already have provisions in place for treatment and transport by an emergency medical provider. Billing for EMS transports allows the City to recover some of its operating costs through existing insurance monies.
The Fire Division averages 2,000 EMS transports per year (residents and non-residents). Based on these numbers and the rate-of-return seen by municipalities with similar demographics, the City conservatively anticipates an annual return of $400,000.
The funds raised are set aside to support fire and emergency medical services provided by the Upper Arlington Fire Division. This includes the support of facilities maintenance and upgrades and the purchase of fire and EMS equipment and vehicles when needed.