Fire departments have been responding to accidents and medical emergencies for decades; however many citizens are still puzzled about the critical role firefighters play in such situations.
A common perception is that a firefighter's primary tools are a fire hose and ax. The reality is that Authority firefighters are equally familiar with administering an electric shock and drugs to restart a heart, inserting a breathing tube, or extricating an accident victim from a crushed vehicle while simultaneously treating their injuries. In fact, 80% of Authority calls are for medical emergencies.
The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority provides all-risk fire, rescue and emergency medical services to residents, visitors and businesses. The delivery of high quality, effective patient care is facilitated by an EMS Divisions Chief. All Authority fire apparatus are staffed with Advanced Life Support (ALS-Paramedic) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) personnel equipped with state-of-the-art ALS medical equipment. The Authority operates ambulance transport services strategically located and fully equipped ALS-Paramedic ambulances daily. Authority ambulances are also equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and provide service to all areas of the Authority.
Emergency Ambulance Transportation
The Authority's ambulance service integrates both sworn and civilian personnel and is available to Authority residents (excluding residents in the Tonopah area). Advanced Life Support (ALS - Paramedic) personnel are assigned to each frontline response unit. This ensures that the citizens served by the Authority have the highest level of pre-hospital care available at all times. This service is provided through an enhanced 9-1-1 system.
Non-Emergency / Inter-Facility Ambulance Transportation
Not all ambulance transports call for emergency lights and sirens. Therefore, the Authority also provide non-emergency ambulance transportation services for medically necessary transfers between hospitals and other healthcare facilities (service only currently available within the North County Fire & Medical District boundaries). All Authority ambulances are staffed by certified paramedics with advanced equipment such as ventilators, invasive monitoring devices, and other devices found in critical and intensive care settings.
To request an Inter-Facility Transport (This service is currently only provided within the North County Fire & Medical District boundaries):
- Obtain the appropriate insurance authorizations and signed Physician Certification Statement (PCS).
- Call the Authority Non-Emergency Ambulance Service Hotline at (623) 546-1200 or follow your facility’s inter-facility transportation services protocol.
- Have appropriate information available when you call including:
- Patient’s name
- Address, location, unit, bed number, etc.
- Patient destination
- Patient care needs such as cardiac monitor, oxygen, IV, medications, etc.
- Your contact information
There is no need to pre-schedule, as an average response time for a non-emergent transport is estimated to be less than 10 minutes.
Non-Emergency Transport Forms:
- Inter-Facility Transport Program Brochure
- Patient Transport Checklist
- Physician Certification Statement (PCS) for Medical Necessity
Ambulance Billing
Ambulance transport billing is the process of obtaining financial reimbursement for the cost of providing medically necessary ambulance transportation. Medicaid, Medicare, and most other private insurance policies (health, auto, homeowners, etc.) already allow for reimbursement for this service.
The Authority bills the patient’s primary and/or secondary insurance carriers for any ambulance services provided. However, if you have not purchased an Ambulance Membership through the Authority, you will be responsible for the portion of the bill not covered by your insurance provider.
Click here for information on the Authority's Ambulance Membership Program.
For billing questions related to ambulance transports by Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, please contact:
- Local: (602) 522-1522
- Toll Free: 1-800-953-9777
Attorney:
- Balance Request Dedicated Fax: 888-582-0085
- Records Order Dedicated Fax: 866-306-5943
- Records Order by mail: 7000 N 16th St. PMB 110 Phoenix, AZ 85020
You may also contact the Authority Administrative Offices directly with any ambulance-related questions at (623)544-5400.
Privacy Statement
Authority employees have been trained on patient privacy or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and will strictly adhere to those standards. Visit this link to read the
Authority Privacy (HIPAA) Notice.
